More days like this

yesterday:

*6am bootcamp

*Started laundry and eventually got 2 loads done.

*Took my girls to swim lessons & read for 1/2 hour.

*Dropped girls off at a friends house for a play date. (I'm watching her kids all day Friday so we swapped.)

*Visited my 52 year old neighbor to drop off a birthday treat and ended up talking with her and another neighbor, who was there visiting, for about an hour. It was such a pleasant conversation and I again reminded myself of how much I enjoy the company of older woman or maybe I should say woman older than me (I don't see them as old).



*Came home and painted. Yes, can you believe I actually did something? Adam, Randy (Jill's Randy), and I sat talking Saturday evening while eating homemade french fries about finding your artistic way (among other things). I always feel a little guilty about blatantly copying someones work, and a little less like an artist because it isn't my vision, but they both encouraged me to imitate and eventually my style will emerge. "Everyone does it", they say. I don't know why I would doubt them, I mean, I have seen first hand with my photography. I started out being drawn to certain things, trying to imitate it, and eventually over years and lots of photos my own style came through. I guess for now I just need to be ok with not expressing my way and hopefully I'll get there.

Since that conversation I've been itching to do something and eventually stumbled across this piece of art in Elsie Flannigan's etsy store. I was drawn to the clean-ness/simple-ness of it and the words "i'm still learning" so I decided to tackle it. Each time I paint I realize how much I don't know or understand. If only I could sit and watch someone and ask questions. I am determined to find a nearby class this fall. Here's my finished piece...I didn't have room for the apple.

*Played go fish when the girls got home.


[Heber Valley by Tess, click here to enlarge]

*While I finished the last details of the my painting Tess and Megan joined me. Eventually Megan left and it was just Tess and I. She drew a picture of our camping experience a few weekends ago and then used watercolors to paint it. I loved her vision and wish I had some of it.

*Bella surfaced at some point and helped me make dinner.

*5pm we had the LDS missionaries over for dinner. Apparently I need to do it more often because I didn't hear a word of complaint about the food. Everyone ate...that never happens.


[photo courtesy Tess]

*After cleaning up we all went outside, the girls riding scooters while Adam and I sat on the porch and talked. We've had a bit of a disconnect lately so it was nice to find each other again.

*9pm we all went in. The girls went to bed smelling of the outdoors and Adam and I stayed up watching Prime.

I went to bed thinking I could do this day over and over again. While we were busy and I didn't stop once it was full of all the good things I want to have in my life everyday. Time with adam and the girls. Time for myself. Exercise. Dinner as a family. Having company. Great weather. Visiting/seeing friends. Stimulating conversations.

I pray we have more days like this.

I'm such an idiot

First of all, sorry I don't have a visual to go with this post. It would have been much better with a photo, but of course when I thought about taking one it didn't happen and then it was too late.

Now on with my story.

So yesterday I went to Costco, like usual spent a pretty penny. I don't know how that always happens, but I'm grateful it's not a weekly trip. While there I decided to buy me a smaller and more compact hard drive I can take on my trip. I figured I could either spend the same amount on another flashcard with only a few GB or I could buy a 160 GB HD to use to download all my photos and then just use the same flashcard daily.

Luckily I got home without incident, which I find amazing when dealing with 3 kids at Costco. As I opened the back and looked at the plethora of items all in single packaging I felt overwhelmed as I always do when unloading a Costco trip. So first thing I did was take my newly bought HD and put it on top of my SUV to get it out of the way and proceed to move the rest of the items in the house. Adam was home at this time 5:30p helping me and after a bit we left with the kids. Well it didn't occur to me until we pulled up to the house an hour later that I had left my HD on the car.

#%$@

Are you kidding me. I hopped in the car to trace our tracks hoping to find it unharmed and ready to use. I didn't have to go far, actually it was right outside our neighborhood, off to the side. As I approached it I felt confident it was alright. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. (enter photo...sigh.) It had probably been hit by dozens of cars and pushed off to the side. It was completely smashed. I was so mad. A hundred dollars down the drain.

Upon arriving home I thought I should call Costco just to see what their return policy was. Who knows maybe they would take it back. I felt really horrible just asking, but thought I could either throw it away or try. So I called them. The guy on the phone told me he couldn't guarantee anything over the phone so since I had a RS meeting at 8pm I just decided to leave and do that before.

I must say I felt like a complete idiot bringing this large obviously damaged package into the store when I had just been there 2 hours before. The guy at the return desk just about died when he saw the package, but luckily had already spoken to me so wasn't completely shocked. He had to call over his manager to see if they would return it. Well, not one, but two managers made their way over. I was really embarrassed listening to them repeat over and over, "it fell off the car and got run over". Then one of the managers looked at me and said sort of in a mocking wasn't sure if he was kidding way, "who fault is this, is it our fault?" I just look at him in disbelief and said, "yeah...sigh...I'm just here to see if your return policy covers lame individuals who run over their merchandise." He gave me a smile and said they would return it. I was thrilled though must admit felt I was getting away with something, like I was bringing back a dress I had already worn that I told them I hadn't, but knew they knew I did. It's was awkward, but I'm glad I tried because I didn't loose out on $100.

So I'm curious...would you have taken it back or lost out on $100?

6 words

Winter has come back with a vengeance.Seriously can you believe the snow we got? If you can't tell there should be grass behind her.


In other news I went to Bella's school this afternoon to see her in the1st grade spring program. I'm not even sure what it was about, but it was hilarious to watch. Bella was much more animated (see photos) then I have ever seen her before. I must admit I was a tad embarrassed, but was more delighted she was enjoying herself immensely even in front of a crowd...so not like her. It's amazing to see how far she has come socially.

Anyway, I guess I don't have more to say. Other than dealing with Megan's no nap, due to the program, and waiting for Adam to return home from San Deigo. I guess it's been one of those weird days where I have a lot to do, but didn't get much done. Oh well, thank goodness there is always tomorrow.

letting go of the funk

I feel like I have a lot to share and then nothing at all. It's a strange conundrum really. Don't know what to make of it.

This week has been a strange week. Not bad just one of those weeks where I feel I'm in a creative funk. I never know where it comes from, but I feel sort of zapped, like a need a break. I have been trying to talk myself into working on Bella's reading bench cover, but I simply cannot, I just don't have it in me, so I have been good to myself and taken the break I need.

So instead of being creative I have given reading (mags & textbooks) a lot my attention to find my way back, searching for inspiration where I can. I have also been organizing my photos. I go in spurts I guess where each month I am really good about saving to discs, deleting bad photos, and ordering prints. Don't get me wrong after my HD scare I save my photos to CDs every time I download photos onto my computer, but I'm not so diligent at ordering prints. I don't think I have ordered prints all year. One of the one things I don't like about digital is not having prints on hand at all times. My goal has been to upload and print my images every month, but obviously that hasn't happen and now it's just more thing begging to get completed.

Sigh.

This is where my hands usually fly up in the air and I think, "it's too much work, I simply can't get it done so why try". Despite my funky feeling I am pushing through so I can reach my goal and there won't be more work the longer I wait. Isn't that the kicker anyway. It never goes away, just continues to pile on top of one another until we finally get to it.

I guess you could say that about everything in life. In relationships, goals, laundry, books to read, our lists, dishes, etc etc. The list could go on and on, but you get my point. Things must be dealt with. I can walk over a pile for weeks, but when I finally just sort through the mess how much better I feel. It would be good for me to finally get that.

Anyway, enough of that. Here are a few photos I found while sifting through them this last week that didn't catch my eye before, but certainly did this time.

Have a great weekend!!

i love home

Today has been one of the crazy errand days. I actually hate running errand so I try to do it all in one day, but when I left I didn't plan on where just one place would take me.

A few weeks ago I realized my driver's license has been expired since my birthday. I'm fearful it will cause problems at the airport or when getting my passport so I set out today to take care of it. I figured since I was out I would go get a copy of my birth certificate since I can't find it, plus I never did get a copy of Megan's. Anyway, I wasn't really happy about any of this and for sure was not keen on taking Tess and Megan with me. Long lines are never fun with kids. So per Adam's suggestion I took our portable DVD player for the kids to watch while we waited. Can I just say it worked like a charm. They had a set of head phones to share so they weren't disturbing anyone in the least. It went smooth, except the fact that I traded in my cute DL photo for a much worse one. Bummer.

While I was there the woman told me my SSN doesn't match my name. I guess I never took care of changing it when I got married 10 years ago. Fearing that will also be a problem when trying to get my passport I figured I should just do that today too. UGH!

So when I was done at the DL office I headed to get my birth certificate. I couldn't find the place, but other than that it was just another thing to cross off my list. Thank goodness it was empty and took no time at all.

Next to the SSN office. During my travels I ended up getting pulled over by a police officer who informed me he had been following me for quite a while. Nice. I bet I looked like a fool. Then he tells me his records show that I don't have car insurance, which is simply not true. He did eventually believe me I mean come on I did have proof (it's too long of a story to get into). Man I am grateful I just got my license renewed as I'm sure that would have become an issue too.

I did eventually make it to the SSN office, but when I walked in there was literally like 50 people waiting in line or in the provided seating. I took one look at the place and just turned around and walked out. It wasn't a necessity so figured why go through the hassle of waiting so long when all I wanted to do was go home.

As I was leaving I realized how close I was to Costco and I should just get my passport photos taken. I mean I was out and thought I was looking pretty good. What is it about photos? I could look in the mirror and think I look great and then they show me the photo and I can't believe my eyes. It's a shame these are the photos that are attached to our personal documents we are forced to carry around. Oh well.

It was crazy to see how one thing led to another (like the post jill did about the book "when you give a mouse a cookie") and although I am never keen on doing those types of things I am so glad to be home and have it done. And I'm not even irritated about the ticket. It's a good day...just busy.

FYI...I heard from Crystalyn today and her little Thomas is in the hospital ICU with rsv (hope she's ok with me sharing). It sounds like a crazy sleepless night. Just thought I would let you know so you can keep them in your prayers.

our former friend

It's been warm the last couple of weeks. So warm the snow is gone and look what it uncovered...the bits and pieces of the snowman we made back in November. I looked at it for a day from my kitchen window wondering why there was a carrot outside until I realized it was in fact the nose from our former friend.

I've got spring fever really bad, but know it's just going to start snowing again. This seems to always happen in February. Of course Phil did predict an early spring and he is supposedly never wrong. I, however, am choosing not to think about the snow coming knowing that it's suppose to be 50 this weekend. Can't wait.