The end is in sight...but new beginnings are near!

I can not believe the end of the year is only a few days away!! It has been a very busy and hectic year, lots of changes are under way at the moment, not really sure where the future is headed...But, I hope it's great!!

I am in the process of moving my shop. My equipment is all coming to the house, for now atleast, and retail items are being moved to Grandmas Gardens Gift House, which is owned by Scott's Aunt. We have been working together since I moved into the current location in April of 2009 and had previously worked together at NCTC years ago. I am looking forward to this for several reasons... I will be working out of the house most of the time. This will allow me to better achieve a schedule. Right now I do screen printing on Mondays and other work during the week. Sometimes, I have much more printing than can be accomplished in one day, leaving me no option other than to close the doors for a day, or work after work, which isn't always so great when you have a family. It seems there is always so much to be done that gets pushed aside for work to get done. This will also give me the opportunity to travel for work and allow me to be home when the boys get out of school. B has been slacking in the homework department, so we are gonna get back on top of this! I will also be working in the gift house on Mondays, a chance to get out of the house, help out, and hopefully for those customers that want to visit in person a day to do so. I am really excited about the changes, (even though making this choice was very difficult) mainly because I will be able to manage my schedule a little LOT better!!

Even though the weather has been pretty decent, especially compared to the last several years, I can not wait for spring!! I love when everything seems to come back to life, the smell of cut grass, thunderstorms, (no wind please), and the warmth of the summer sun!! Not to mention longer days!!

Hope everyone has had a great time with their families for the holidays and that you all have a Happy New Year!!

Wordless Wednesday

New Photo Blog

check out my other blog, "Letters from the Lens". http://lettersfromthelens.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few photos

Just a
Few Photos
from
the weekend...

Wordless Wednesday

wordless wednesday

Summer is almost over...

It is hard to believe school will be starting this coming week. It has been a busy and hectic summer. B played baseball from May through July. His team had an undefeated season and took home first place in their tournament. I do love a good game of baseball! The season went by fast with only one make-up game. I am sure he misses playing as well, as he has been watching baseball and playing on the wii every chance he gets!

Work has been busy as well. Just when I think I am getting close to catching up, I am swamped again. Its called job security I know, and I love what I do, so I am looking forward to taking a few days off to catch up on some much needed "me" time. I don't think I have personally cooked more than two meals all summer, it has been sandwiches, easy to make things, eating out, and a fend for yourself kind of summer. I am really looking forward to fall and getting back in the kitchen! And speaking of fall, summer here has been HOT! Last year, we maybe had one week of these temps, and it seems like we have been dealing with he heat for months now. I really like summer, but am looking forward to cooler temperatures.

Our "good news" turned out to be nothing, not even worth mentioning, but no harm done. I have a lot of pictures to upload if I ever find the time. I am definitely looking forward to getting back into a good routine, being able to cook and spend more time with the boys, and getting some sleep!! I could really do without the homework though...

Good News!!

Today we received some very good news, however, I am not sharing at the moment! In the near future, I promise!! Work has been extremely busy. I feel like I just keep getting more and more buried by the day. I am loving summer, and Love baseball season. B's team is currently undefeated. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes. Nate has been busy working. I am amazed how dedicated he has been at earning his paychecks and putting off the fun things until after work. I couldn't be more proud of either of them. They have also done a great jib at helping Scott mow the yard this year and do a good job! City wide garage sales are Saturday and I am trying to get things ready for that and Sunday is the car show, so I will have a booth out there again, as long as it doesn't rain. I am working on a new t-shirt design for the shop, hopefully it turns out as good as I am expecting. And we are also having a t-shirt contest for the kiddos through July. It's a busy busy life, but I am lovin it!!

A Few New Things

We are trying new things at our house, one of which we got to use the other night...rewarding good behavior. (OK, we have already been doing this, just changed it up a bit). So, the boys were on excellent behavior, please, thank you, and NONE of that teenage attitude backtalk stuff, so we went for a bike ride. I kept telling the boys, slow down, no we aren't taking that street, and hey just kept pedaling like they were gonna save a life. I finally told them going up a very large hill, that they were going to give me a heart attack. They didn't seem to care really, they just kept going full speed ahead. Then my adorable 10 year old says, mom, this is good for you...you can lose all that flubber you have been wanting to lose! Really, Thanks for the reality check. We rode about 30 blocks in about 15 min. When B was little, I had a seat on the back of my bike and we would ride for hours like it was nothing. Now, even without the extra weight of a chunky monkey on the back, it about kills me to ride a fraction of that. I don't think I am all that fond of this growing old stuff. Maybe there will be many more "reward nights" at our house and I will gradually get back into shape, if that's even possible at this point. The other change is extra chores without pay for the whining, back talking, attitude junk, that drives all parents crazy. We haven't had to use this yet, but last night came very close as summer bedtime at our house is in bed at 9, lights out at 9:30. Weekends they can stay up til 10:00 unless we aren't home. Scott called them in from playing at 8:30. We told them both, lights out at 9:30, no excuses, so drinks, using the bathroom, showers, chores, whatever needed to be done by then. They were 4 minutes late. And when they came in the just couldn't understand why they had to come in so early! Tonight we don't have a game though, so chores will be done after work. And speaking of baseball, last night the Twins won another, 11-0, despite not playing their best.

A Day to Remember...

Today is not only a day to remember and reflect on memories of our loved ones we have lost, but to all our servicemen and women currently serving and those who have served in the past. Without you all fighting for America, what it stands for, and all our freedoms, we would not have it as good as we do. Thank You All!!!

Summer's Comin

It won't be long...and summer will officially be here...

cause BASEBALL has started...

and school is FINALLY out for summer!

The boys finished their last day of school with field day and the middle school was treated to a day at Sycamore. I was so proud of B for coming in second in the 400, all that running made me tired. Baseball officially began last week with 2 wins. The pool opens this weekend, and the temperatures have been perfect for swimming.

Dear Black Birds...

Dear Black Birds,
Or all birds for that matter...Please stop pooping all over the cement in the driveway. I am tired of cleaning up after you and would very much like to enjoy the warm cement on my bare feet. And while we're on the topic, windows and the side of the house are not acceptable either. Thanks!

How Time Flies

Happy Happy Birthday to my sweet baby. Ok, he really isn't a baby anymore, don't let him know i said that, but to me he will always be. I can't believe how fast the boys grow up!!! The oldest is graduating this weekend, the middle has been a teenager for awhile now and my baby is past the halfway to an adult mark. Ugh, where can i find a rewind button, Please???

It's a crazy life...

I am sure you are all wondering where the rest of my photos are, but the truth is...there isn't any. It has been wet, cool, and busy, and I just haven't found the time to finish what I started and so desperately want to finish. I purchased a frame back before Christmas, and I have yet to get the pictures in it that I want so I can hang it. One day, I suppose.
Work has picked up and been almost non-stop. I do love my job, but sometimes it is tiring, and when all i want to do is relax or spend time with my family, I find myself working just to keep up. We celebrated Scott's birthday a few weekends ago, the big 39, with a BBQ and friends. It was nice to just sit back and enjoy the moment. Nate has been in karate, and B is starting baseball. I love baseball season as much as I like summer but sometimes it just adds to the chaos. School will be out soon. I know the boys are ready for a break, and I am looking forward to summer bike rides and having some extra hands to help around the house and shop. Mr. B also has a birthday coming up soon. 10...yes that's right, my baby is turning 10!!! I often wonder where the time has gone, they grow up so fast and I just wish sometimes we could rewind a few years and make a few slight changes. I guess that just gives me power to make the future better! So life goes on as usual, nothing new, just the same ol' craziness...

Take I

Well, the sun Finally made it's presence, and this is what I got...
a quick shot of father and son...

and this one, I absolutely LOVE!!! We didn't have much time, as the sun was only out for a short period of time, but out of all the shots I took, I am happy to have this one!

I am taking the card to work with me tomorrow to do some editing, and hopefully tomorrow the sun will shine brightly again and we will get a second chance to get some more really great shots!

Lights, Camera, Action

Basketball has been over for quite some time now, and I am "itching" to get my camera back out. It has been too long, and it is calling my name. The boys are on break this week and I was thinking it would be great to get some shots of them, but we seem to be missing one thing...some great light from that big ol' round thing in the sky! Not only is the sun the best lighting to work with, but I am also missing its warmth! I know there will hopefully be plenty of days for this, but I feel like I am missing out. And just this morning I was thinking of things I have been working on and need to finish, but a few weeks isn't bad timing for any project, only to realize these weeks have actually been a couple months! So bring on some sunshine...Please!!!

Something I feel strongly about...

This morning on a local news website, I read of the state once again delaying another school aid payment and possibly having to hold state tax returns because it collected $71 million less than it had anticipated in February. Our local school districts are already trying to make cuts and talking about consolidation to try and budget for the shortfalls from the state. I also heard on the news yesterday that the state is now trying to tax our residential utility bills and make churches pay sales tax on the good they purchase. I am trying to understand, really, where they think this money is going to come from. It's simple math really.... lots of people have lost jobs, that's less money they will not only pay in income taxes, but also less money they are going to spend on purchases; less purchases for businesses means less sales which in return equals less sales tax to pay and less money we have to purchase the things we don't need, or letting more workers go. They have cut funding for the elderly, handicap, and schools, but not once have we heard anything about our government laying off jobs or cutting their direct spending, only spending to government aided programs. And since my husband and I are self-employed, I know the importance of paying all of our taxes on time to avoid penalties and interest, yet when it is time for our government to pay us back, not to mention they have held our money all year long interest free, there may be a delay??? I'm sorry, but when we have a bad month I do not get to send a letter to them explaining my situation and how somehow I may have "mishandled" their money and now would like to delay my payment to them interest and penalty free!!! And while I agree that times are tight for everyone, I think it is time we all assess our situations and cut out the things we don't need, I also think this should be true of our government on every level. The programs they are cutting our valuable to our people, and one electric stapler purchased by the government may pay for one person to have the care they need for one more day. The talk of taxing is getting old, so old, they not only want to tax our junk food, but utility bills, church purchases, anything that isn't already taxed, they want to raise taxes on alcohol, and lets not forget the already high taxes we pay on cigarettes and fuel. Which in return leads me to another question. With the taxes on these things being so high, and people are smoking and traveling less, what is our government going to do when people give these items up all together, especially the cigarettes??? What will they tax next to pay for children's health programs because they have raised the cost up so high and nobody can afford to buy them??? The only way I see to control our debt nationally is just as simple as controlling the debt of a single household...purchase the absolute needs of survival first, and if there is money left over, that is where you get to enjoy a night out at dinner, or go see a movie, or that new pair of shoes you need and on and on. And I am really tired of hearing congress talk about a simple way of life, when it means they get to spends hundreds of dollars on a suit or a plate of dinner at some fancy restaurant. And even if I am amazed at the things NASA has done, is it really necessary at the moment to see if we can live on mars in the near future? I think it is time, we the people, put this country back in check. A check of what is really important in life. A life without drowning our children in debt, a life without fighting a fight that will never end in peace, a life that ensures them the best education they can get, a life we can all live and be proud of!!!

A little bit of Basketball

Never am I interested on sports, unless it involves one of the boys that is! This week has been filled with basketball and more basketball. Nate had a game Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and B had his biddy ball tournament Thursday as well. And let me just say I am proud of them both and they both scored points during one of their games and play hard!


These are the boys making their shots count:)

A Little Sunshine Please???

What a Winter! I can't remember anything, even in my slightest of memories of a winter such as this. First, the very cold temps early on then the snow and now fog!!! I remember asking for warmer temps, which I got, but forgot to mention that the warmer temps. would bring lots and lots of sunshine!! We have had mild to thick fog for over a week now, not a hint of sunshine, and the trend seems to only continue. Last Saturday, we braved our way to Topeka, it wasn't really all that bad during the day, but coming home at midnight was about a nightmare. I had to try and stay between the lines, when i could see them and just kinda guess when I couldn't. There were no landmarks to recognize, occasionally a few headlights, just a dark tunnel filled with fog. We hit holton, and I couldn't believe we had made it, but there was no topping the hill before and knowing we were almost there, it was hitting the edge of town and realizing we were actually halfway home. Never had I been so happy to be home in my wonderful comfy bed! I believe sunshine is good for a lot of things, like melting snow, helping heat our homes, giving us energy, and telling us it's time to get our butts out of bed! All of which is missing for the time being. So Please, Please, I am begging for even the slightest bit of full sun, to lift my spirits and give me some motivation!