Who would have ever thought.....

First I just wanted to say that it has been a crazy week. And not necessarily in a bad way. As you can see, I have posted two separate posts today because what I am getting ready to say still has me in shock. It just didn't seem right to post something so great with something so awful other than the separate posts. It has definitely been a mix of emotions which could explain my extreme tiredness this week.

The weather has been great! Until today that is. I, along with everyone else I know and then some, is ready for Spring! And who wouldn't be. The grass gets greener, trees get their leaves, the warmth of the sunshine, flowers bloom, people can get out from being trapped inside their homes all winter, and the sound of nature comes back to life. Other than mosquitoes and tornadoes, I can think of no other reason for anyone to hate spring!! Ok, maybe those gusty south winds can be a little annoying, but I will take them if that is what it means to have warmer weather! Today has been nothing but rain and gloom. And it doesn't sound like it will be getting any better in the next few days. Bummer! Just when I was starting to get a skip back in my step and nature drops this at my doorstep ;(

Anyways, back to my excitement. I have a correction for an earlier post, as it should be USA Weekend, instead of U.S. Weekly.

On October 25th, 2008, I had the opportunity to help with something great, something called the "Wade Moore Benefit, Kids Can Make a Difference Race." Wade Moore is someone known and liked by the whole community. Unfortunately he was involved in a tragic accident that left him paralyzed. He had great struggles ahead of him and I knew as soon as I heard that someone was going to hold a benefit for him that I wanted to help. I wasn't sure how my part would all work out or how much it would help, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it. So when Daryl Hoppe of the Twisters Car Club/Twisters Dragway Hotwheels Race came to me and asked me to help I was more than willing. Together we had ideas. And our ideas seemed to work out great on paper. Once I started putting those ideas in the computer, things changed a little. But after lots of thought and "making and erasing" it all came together. I had spend lots of time on this, as not only was there little time to get it together, but it had to be prefect. I spend lots of nights lying in bed with the computer while Scott slept next to me just getting things right. And eventually, I did. I was sooooo excited, I not only couldn't wait to get the design printed out, but to see it come to life on a shirt could not happen quick enough. I got the approval from the organizers the next day and away I went. I went home that night and processed screens, even if if meant staying up late or only getting 1 shirt out. I produced 4 shirts. I was ecstatic. This shirt had special meaning in several ways. I was going to be helping out part of the community to benefit someone who needed it, but it was also a major accomplishment for me. I had only been screen printing for about a year, and I knew there was still lots to learn. I didn't have special software or know tricks of the trade, all I had was the equipment and the determination to make this great! This was my first 6 color design, created solely by me. I had no help, no artwork to copy, only some ideas drawn on a piece of paper. But it turned out better than I could have expected. And in the days to follow, many more shirts were made. 110 to be exact, and that didn't include the ones I made myself or my family.

I am not sure exactly when it was, but Daryl came by the shop with a copy of USA Weekend. There was an article in there about "Make a Difference Day" which happened to be on October 25. The article contained ways people all over were taking part in events to make a difference in the lives of others. Wow, what a coincidence that their event was held on the same day and that the name of the event was "Kids Can Make a Difference Day!" Whats are the odds of this?!

After the race, someone had submitted different items to USA Weekend about the event for Wade. I had received the call from them for a short telephone interview awhile back, but never did I think anything more than that's not a call I get everyday. It left me wondering but the lady that interviewed me said that they would have to sort through all the entries to determine the winners. And I just figured our odds weren't that great and that someone out there had submitted something even greater or something that had benefited a lot more people.

Tuesday, I was just pulling in the garage after work and my phone rang. It was Daryl. He had just got the call saying that the event was one of the winners. One out of ten. I sat in my vehicle trying to take it all in, but I was in shock. I couldn't remember half of what he had told me, the only thing that really stuck out was that he said "How would it make you feel to have a picture of your shirt in a national publication?" Did I hear him right? I was already so proud of the design, the benefit of helping someone, and the idea that someone that saw my shirt may come in as a new customer or send new customers my way. It was a success no matter which way I looked at it, but who would have ever thought that it would be seen or acknowledged by people all across the United States. I did receive more information today. A photographer is being sent to Sabetha next week, and that the $10,000 donation to a charity as one of the winners will be kept right here in town.

I will keep you all posted on this as it progresses. It has opened my eyes to new meanings. I am amazed that not only did I help out someone in great need with many new challenges in life, but because of that and the help and donations of time and money from others, Wade will have a little less to worry about. And because someone submitted this information to USA Weekend, and they felt it deserved recognition and chose it as one of the winners, many other people right here in our community will also benefit from this. It definitely shows that it doesn't take much to help out someone in need. I encourage everyone to take part in this day in the future no matter how small your part is or how little you think your help will benefit, because it does. And so I am ending it at that and with a picture of the shirt I designed.

Here is the link to the Make a Difference Day Website. It has lots of information on how to get involved and how to submit events.

http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/index.html

You can see this design and read more about the event on my website:

http://www.customgraphicssabetha.com/

In Our Thoughts

We got a call late Tuesday night that Scott's cousin~Paul Grote, had passed away after a battle of cancer at the age of 45. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Our Weekend is Almost Over

Friday was such a nice day. The boys were up and off to school early. I headed out to the shop around 8:30. It was nice to get to take things slow, I am not a morning person. My mom came up and took Scott and I out to lunch. Thanks Mom! I can't even remember the last time Scott and I took a lunch away from the shop, it has been that long! Usually we just have a snack to hold us over til supper. It was also nice to spend some time with my mom! Brennan had a friend over and then went with his friend to the high school basketball games. It was a quiet evening at home.
Yesterday I was up earlier than normal. I am not sure why. Scott took B to the shop with him, so it would have been a great day to sleep in, however that just wasn't the case. I got up and did payroll, then a grocery list, and the rest of the morning was quiet. A little too quiet. I was thankful when the guys got back from work! We went to Wal-Mart to get groceries, and B had a free happy meal certificate for reading at school, so we grabbed lunch before coming home. Scott and I both had cheeseburgers and a shared a small fries. I am thinking that was one of the cheapest meals we have ever had as a family. I am not sure I could have even cooked that cheap. But, no, we won't be making that a usual trip. I am not a big fan of Mcdonalds, nor would that help me with losing weight! I spend the afternoon cleaning my office! I am so happy to see the floor in there again! I had so much to go through and a couple boxes that hadn't even been touched since we moved. I was happy to find that one box was just books, so it headed straight to the basement and no need for more sorting. I do have a little left to file, but not more than another half hour or so. I can not believe it has taken me so long to accomplish this task. Later on in the evening we had friends over for a drink and a movie. It was a good time. B spend the night with a friend next door, so it was another quiet night at our house.
Today we just kinda hung out most of the morning. We had lunch with the Hartter family. Not very many showed up, but it was nice to have lunch and visit with those that attended. We are just going to relax the rest of the evening. It may be a busy next week.
I want to wish Madison a Happy 10th Birthday!!!

Just another Day

Today I had some work to finish up at home, so I ended up going out to the shop around noon. I had errands to run and by the time I was finished, it was time to get the boys from school. Nate went with his mom and came home a little later, and B had a friend over. It is so nice that they have mutual friends and that everyone gets along. They spend some time outside playing basketball thanks to our neighbors. It is really nice that they let the boys come over and play. They have a large shop with a cement pad and they boys and neighbor kids spend lots of time over there playing basketball and riding skateboards. I enjoy having them close to the house and the fact that they are not out riding in the streets.
I came home and did some cleaning. I have to admit I love to clean. I got the floors scrubbed, half the house clean, and sheets washed. There is nothing like a clean house or sleeping in sheets just out of the dryer.
Tonight I made lasagna and garlic cheese sticks for supper. It was very good and nice to have something that we don't eat very often. The boys cleaned up after supper and I have a few pans to wash and the best part is there was plenty leftover for tomorrow.
I am going to work out and watch a little tv with the family and then off to bed. Since tomorrow is Friday we have to be up early and I have been very tired this week for some reason. Luckily I seem to have missed a lot of the sickness going around at least for now. Hopefully with spring not to far off all the sickness going around will go away. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Can You Say Boring?!!!

Today was just another day. A very boring day. I started by updating my computer this morning, then had a customer cancel, so I worked on a few other things. It was cold, quiet, and it didn't help that for some reason I am exhausted. The day luckily flew by, but a little excitement never hurts. I picked the boys up from school and they did chores and homework. Nate delivered his papers, and now they are off playing. I am trying to decide what to make for supper. So far no ideas, but it will be something quick and easy, that's for sure. I do want to wish my aunt a speedy recovery on her surgery and I hope that everything went well. I am going to enjoy my evening of a little work, but a lot of nothing!!

A day Away

Today I met my sister at her house and we headed to K.C. for a show put on by my supplier. We were there and back on the road by 11:30. We stopped in Topeka for lunch and then headed back home. The show was short and sweet, we could have stayed longer,but I looked at everything I wanted to see and placed an order and off we were. It seems a little silly to be on the road more than we were actually at the show, but everyone should get out of the office every now and again! Lunch was nice, Johnny Carinos. I had never been there, and I must say it was the first time EVER to eat at a sit down restaurant and have our main coarse within a half hour. In fact the last time I had been to the Olive Garden, we had waited over an hour and then another hour just to get the check and all they had to offer was free dessert, No Thanks! And the food was great. I think we both ate mainly salad and bread and took our meal home with us!!! Even Better!! I made a mad dash back as the boys were waiting at the house for me after school, they only had to wait a half hour or so. Then it was off to take Nate to get his papers and B and I headed to the shop. We arrived just as they were rinsing the last truck, Lucky us!!! Nate took his bike to his Grandma's to get fixed and then was headed to City Hall to play with his friends for a little while. I am going to cook supper for the guys and then relax for the rest of the evening. I had a late night last night. Spend half the day on the phone trying to get things figured out with my computer. After I had them clean it up, I was pretty well on my own and thankfully knew what I was doing. It was just a very time consuming task, but I am happy it is running better, and I was also able to hook my printer back up to the router and am now totally wireless!!! I finished around 9, had a quick shower, and then caught up on all my TV. It was around 1 when I finally shut my eyes, but was up and excited to hit the road tomorrow. The only drawback is now I am 2 days behind for the week, especially since I got absolutely nothing done yesterday other than payroll entered into the computer. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed the nice weather today, other than the wind. My temperature gauge said 63 on my way back home, O how beautiful it was. I even got my car washed while I was out at the truck wash!!! I do have a minor headache, so it is gonna be easy street for me as soon as I am finished with supper.

A week Glad to be Gone

I haven't posted in awhile, last week was one of the worst weeks I can remember. I am not going to post about it, I am trying to put it behind me, but it will definitely leave an impact on my thoughts. I did get to spend an afternoon with my mom. We went out for lunch and to the quilt shop in Hiawatha, so not only was it nice to spend some time with her, but it was nice just to get away for a few hours.

I have been very busy at work. I am very thankful for this as washing trucks is not a priority during a down economy and it is taking it's tull on things. Last week, the largest customer we have cut back as well, leaving us to a lot of what if's. It is a difficult time for everyone and in time it will all turn around, I am just wondering how much we will all lose in the process before things get better. I have switched a lot of our bills around to save some money, and we also discontinued some of our extra insurance policies for the time being. I am hoping we can reinstate those when things get better, as they were really good policies, but they were also in addition to our health and life plans in place. I am confident that as long as I stay busy, we can make it, even if it means closing down the truck wash or Scott finding a job and allowing his employees to run it. Either way, we will do what we have to do to make it through all this mess.

Saturday I had 2 trucks to do in the morning and then the afternoon was busy at home. We went out to the windmill in Seneca for supper with my family. We don't get together all that often, so it was nice to visit and the food was great. They had a limited menu which was somewhat of a bummer, but all in all it was an enjoyable evening. We came home and watched a little tv. I was so tired I fell asleep and ended up going to bed before 10. I wish I could have spend more time with Scott but it just wasn't in the plans I guess. Like I said, I have been busy. I am sure the stress of last week only added to that, so to my husband, I am sorry.

Today I am at home. I tell everyone this is my day off, but I actually do books, payroll, taxes, and/or shirts. I definitely enjoy these quiet peaceful days to myself.

I posted some of the pictures from Saturday night. Jerod had fed Cindy off his fork so I tried to get him to do a "romantic replay" but he became a little camera shy, so Cindy tried to take a picture of Scott and I to showing him we aren't afraid to show affection, however she was a little slow taking the picture, so no I am not trying to show everyone my big mouth! The bottom one Scott took of most of us at the table after supper.

A beautiful day in the Flint Hills

Saturday morning everyone was up and around before 8. Scott went to work and the boys went to City Hall after doing there chores. A little after noon, Nate went with his mom and Scott, Brennan, and I headed to Topeka.

It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, and the wind was minimal. We ate,picked up some office supplies, and headed west to Paxico! I love going out there, it is quiet and just far enough from Topeka that it isn't crowded. We visited for a little while and got to see the almost finished house, and then Scott had a bright idea of going out to Anda's moms. We had never been there before, but it it a small house tucked in the middle of one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen. The shape of the land, the trees, and the nice little stream winding through the land. We decided to take a little journey along and through the stream. It was a constant switch from one side to the other and just enough stones in the water and the right places to help us cross. We did have one spot that was definitely trying to find a way, but we all made it. Then it was a climb to the top of the hill. I was very tired at this point, we must had walked several miles plus to the top, but the view was well worth it! We all took shortcuts on the way down, it only took about a quarter of the time as it did getting there, and then we headed back to Wade and Andas. Later we had went into town for supper and then back to the house for a movie. It was a beautiful day, great times, and a quiet drive back home.

The top of the hill. looking down!

Sick kid, warm weather, and U.S. Weekly

Late Friday night Brennan came to me that he didn't feel well. It was almost bedtime so I sent him to his room to lay down. Wouldn't ya know, he got sick. We had been so lucky to be healthy, so out came the Lysol again. I was a little skeptical, but it seems to be working at least this far. Saturday morning Nate got up and went to work with Scott. B and I stayed at the house and I of course Cleaned! I think I had things a little backwards though because I started in the garage and then worked my way inside. Maybe it was due to the warm weather we had that day! I did get the Tahoe washed in the driveway! I haven't been able to do this for quite some time!! Around lunch time B said he wasn't feeling very well again, after feeling fine that morning. Once again he was sick, so I again sent him to his room and he took a short nap. Nate and I brought in wood to replenish the pile. Hopefully we are now stocked and won't have to bring anymore in for the year. Nate spend most of his afternoon at the skatepark. B woke up from his nap and said he felt fine. I did let him go outside to play and get some fresh air. He has been fine since so I am hopeful if any of the rest of us get it, it to will be short lived. The rest of the weekend was spend in front of the tv and just relaxing. It is always nice to have a work less weekend.

Monday I worked from home. It is my day off from the office to hopefully stay up on books and just have a day not only to myself, but of mostly uninterrupted work time. I did end up going out to the shop late afternoon to letter a truck. I was home by 7 and made supper. Monday nights are my favorite tv nights so we finished up in time to watch my favorite shows. The boys went to bed, and I followed not to long after.

It was a cold morning waking up and the wood must have burned out early because it was a little chilly in the house. I am not a morning person so this always makes it a little worse. We have not ran our furnace since the stove was installed, so I am excited to see how much money we will be saving on our gas bill. I have been cold much of the day, am happy to be at home in front of the fireplace! It looks like the rest of the week will be flip-flop weather again. Hopefully we can get some time outside and get out of town for the weekend. I picked the boys up from school and they did chores and homework. I am not allowing them to go anywhere today since tomorrow they will both be gone to church and Thursday is B's music program. It never hurts them to spend some time at home though.

Awhile back, October 25th to be exact, the Twister Car Club held a benefit for Wade Moore. I had the pleasure of taking part in this. (I made shirts and donated all profits to the fund) It was called Wade Moore benefit; Kids can make a difference Race. Not to long after that there was a publication in the U.S. Weekly that that day was also Make a Difference Day and people all over the United Sates were participating and volunteering to help out others. I received a call from them last week and was interviewed. It sounds like there were a lot of different things going on and the lady told me once they were done with all the interviewing they would decide which stories make the publication. So keep your eyes open! The whole experience was great and to make it in the U.S. Weekly publication would just top it off! Either way, I was glad to be a part of it and Thankful so many people supported the day to try and make things for Wade a little better.

At last, the picture I promised of our new stove!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!! We miss you so much! It still seems to much like a dream and so unreal. I know you are no longer in pain, but for the rest of us, we are selfish, and the pain never stops. We still expect to see you at the house or to hear your voice on the phone, but then reality sets in and we know you are gone. I know you are watching and you make your presence known, but it just isn't the same as seeing your face or hearing your voice. We are missing out on so much, but our memories are never far from our hearts or our thoughts. You are my hero and will always be, you are the Best Dad! We Love you and Miss You!