Lunch, Leftovers, and Lowe’s

And Fountain Cokes! But that doesn’t start with an “L”.

Yesterday’s lunch was a typical lunch. Except rather than leftovers we had hot dogs. . . another usual lunch. For those of you who know Cody, you know he loves his fountain cokes. So each day, after he walks over to my office and we eat whatever leftovers we have, we make a run up to the corner store.

Most days, we have time to kill before our lunch hour is over. The most common activity. . . . wandering Lowe’s. We go to Lowe’s just to wander at least three times a week. We really don’t have too many other choices.

You never know what we might look at. Well, except that we almost always go by the mis-matched paint. Sometimes we might look at appliances so we’ll be prepared as ours go out. Sometimes I dream of better ceiling fans. Quite often, it’s the PVC pipe. . . where Cody plots a protein feeder. And if it’s not the protein feeder, very often it’s other projects or supplies for the deer lease.

Yesterday, after looking at the storage stuff, the metal for my craft room, and paint, it was Tool World. It started off looking at sanders (which we actually own one somewhere in the garage) but Cody got off track quickly. I used my 365 project as an excuse to kill a little time taking pictures.

And truthfully, I was glad to capture a moment from our everyday typical lunch routine.

Being Childless Sucks, Life Doesn’t

When I blogged about how being childless sucks Wednesday, I received several words of encouragement which I did appreciate. But, I guess what I failed to get across in that post, is that it was just a moment. . . They come, they go. Sure, being childless hasn’t stopped sucking. But, it’s not the only thing in my life.

I honestly didn’t share about that moment when I searched google for those that know me, but rather because I know that there may be others I don’t know who feel the same way and are looking for something to perhaps validate their feelings or just someone who understands. (OK, that’s a really bad run on sentence whith far to many “thats” in the beginning, but you know, it’s a blog not a term paper)

You see just because being childless sucks, it doesn’t mean that life does. All-in-all, I’ve got a great life. A house over my head, a loving husband who truly spoils me, time to be creative, a job, etc. (Since I just made a long list New Year’s Eve, I spare you the long version ’cause I have a feeling this post is going to be long enough.)

(OK, in proofreading this, this next part is going to seem really off topic and a rambling tangent, I promise I’ll be bringing it back around.)

Last weekend as Cody and I were celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, we discussed a new class that I want to take. This morning as I thought about that class, I realized that my hobbies all seem to piggy back on themselves. Last year, I spent a lot of time learning more about photography and taking pictures. This year, I’ve gotten back into scrapbooking. This new class is about organizing pictures with a scrapbooking purpose (well, that’s just the surface.) One of the assignments before the class starts is to go through your digital pics and printed pics and put them in chronological order. I’m in luck since my digi pics are all in folders my month and year and named by the date and a sequence that keeps the approximately 16,000 pictures in order. . . not to mention digi pics can be sorted by date/time taken. But, our printed pics, that’s another story. The class talks about not trying to do all your pictures but a portion so that you can learn the process and then repeat with the rest later. So, I decided to just tackle the years from when Cody and I met until we went digital- Fall Semester 1994-Deer Season 2003. (Another tangent. . . Deer Season, you may be wondering, why I associated that. . . Because I got my first digi camera on the way to the Campwood and I remember taking tons of shots along the 8 hour drive there. Looking back now, I realize it was purchase and trip that would change my life.)

So this week, Cody and I have been sorting those printed pictures. We really don’t have that many. They filled two plastic shoeboxes longwise (aka short side so that the pano shots would fit). It was so much fun to remember those days. We really enjoyed looking back. We were both amazed at how young we look. . . even though we don’t feel that much older today. In many ways, despite the things we’ve gone through, we’re still like newlyweds or perhaps even those kids in college. We’re still like those two lovebirds in those pictures- two lovebirds who got married and watched as their friends got married, two lovebirds who used to eat on the floor in Etoile, two lovebirds who have watched their nephew grow-up, two lovebirds that have seen great vacations, two lovebirds that met in college, moved to Corpus Christi, and came back to that college town. We’ve been blessed. I’ve been blessed.

And, I realize just how blessed to live in the digital age! We narrowed that lot of pics down to just a little over one box. Purging a lot of awful and failed shots, I realized how much I benefit from being able to instantly see my pictures. Going through the so-so pics, I realized how much easier it is to take advantage of learning photography in a digital world. Looking at how few pictures there were compared to fewer years of digital, I realized just how glad I am that I don’t have to pay for film and processing.

Creative Updates: 365 Link and Scrapbooking

Just wanted to share a simple update for those of you who are interested.

1) My 365 Project is going strong. I’m not sure whether I’ll get around to sharing a bit about each picture in blog posts but I plan to upload them to this gallery on about a weekly basis. (I’m also having them printed and putting them in my 365 binder). You can also see images from that gallery on the right hand side. . . and there’s a link to the gallery in the top menu.

2) More Scrapbook Layouts. . . I haven’t posted the other layouts I’ve done for my class so far. I’ve got one more to do before week 5 of the class starts on Thursday. It’s a 12 week class so just imagine how many layouts I’ll have done by then.

Since I plan to make scrapbooking a better part of 2010, I thought I’d go ahead and create a gallery for the pages I’m amassing quickly. Again, you can find a link up at the top directly to the gallery too!

(Again, these are all using Cathy Zielske templates from Big Picture Scrapbooking’s Design Your Life class. . . and the papers/embellishments I did not create are mainly from Crystal Wilkerson/Jessica Sprague)

3) Later this week, I hope to post some of Cody and I’s pictures from the zoo Saturday. There really wasn’t a movie we wanted to see for our anniversary and we had the church’s 50th anniversary dinner Saturday night leaving us with a limited amount of time. So, we went to the zoo in Lufkin after we went out to lunch. You’ll have to see the racoon pics we got! (Cody actually out shot me by 100+ shots) Truth be told neither of us is that much of a movie person and we’d rather be outside and taking pictures any day. It was a rare warmer anniversary as the temps were around 70- so we took advantage rain or not.

Gimme 5: Mini Album Project/ Assignment

One of this week’s assignments for the scrapbooking class I’m taking was to create a mini-album asking the folks I love for five things that described them. So, I emailed a few of those folks to get a start on the album. Except for my nephew Jack, they were all quick to get back with me. Here’s how the pages wound up.

Templates are by Cathy Zielske for Big Picture Scrapbooking’s Design Your Life. Papers are by Mindy Terasawa available at Designer Digitals. Oh and that cute cursive font- Amelie

Hoping to post my other layouts tomorrow. . .

Scrapbooking in 2010

I know I’ve been MIA. . . I’ve got several posts I hope to get out this week and then get back to a regular schedule. One of the things I want to do more of is scrapbooking. I wound up signing up for CathyZ’s Design Your Life Class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. . . Although I signed up a week late. I’ve spent the better part of the week and most of this weekend trying to catch up. I’ve scrapbooked more layouts in 2010 then I did in 2009 already- and probably more than I did in 2008 and 2009 combined.

I thought I’d share them here. All are using papers from the 2009 Paper Collections at Jessica Sprague by Crystal Wilkerson (June, July, Sept., and Oct). Layout and concept provided by Cathy Zielske Design Your Life workshop at BigPictureScrapbooking.com. . . Loving those templates!

October Began With A Trip Down South

We were just down there in July.  But when Coralyn told us that her brother passed away, we knew we’d make another trip down to Corpus Christi.  Cody says it totally messed up his average since before July, it had been a really long time since we were there.   It didn’t matter as we knew we needed to be there.

Since I’ve become a Hotwire fan, I checked out Hotwire and found I could get a 4-star hotel in the waterside area for less than I could get a hotel out by him mom.  (So far, I’ve only hotwired 4-stars because you don’t know what hotel you’re getting and 3-stars can be a lot of different things.)  And most of our activities would be in town so the htoel would be closer.  I checked out what 4-stars were in Corpus and thought we would be across from the seawall.  NOT! We were across the Harbor Bridge- Yipee!  (And on the beach, but we’re not beach folks).  Cody did take it better than I thought he would- probably helped that we’d stayed at the hotel, under different ownership, over 10 years ago.  We had a great room and I always enjoy watching the ships and the tugs come in and out of the port. 

I counted 13 tugboats while I was there.  (Much fewer than I remember seeing in the past)

Our room was not directly overlooking the beach. . . Instead, we had a bit of an angled view- of the beach, the Lady Lex, the Corpus Skyline, the Harbor Bridge, and the Refineries.  Our balcony was excellant for some night shooting.

We had a chance to catch up with Cody’s cousins and that was really nice.  The last time we saw his second cousins, the oldest was 1. . . now 10!  And there were three we’d never met.  We also learned that their dad, Cody’s uncle, wanted to be in Coralyn’s wedding that he and his wife had a second wedding in a Catholic church.  (And that their mom had to convert from Baptist to Catholisism to do it.)  I barely knew his uncle but heard some great stories.

We also spent one late night catching up with some friends we hadn’t seen in years!  That was lots of fun. . . and it was another chance to see how quickly kids and families grow.

We managed to squeeze in some time for the Aquarium.  Literally, we had 1.5 hours Saturday, so we made a run for it. . . OK we walked.  One of the things that stuck out with us was how hot and humid it was.  And windy.  I remember the wind, but neither of us really remembered it being that nasty hot and sticky. . . in October none the less.  On our walk to the aquarium from the hotel, this is what Cody’s hair looked like.

On our way to the aquarium we really worked hard to keep the sand out of our shoes.  We really aren’t folks that enjoy sand. . . though we did take one walk along this beach.

We wound up getting a membership at the aquarium and snuck in another 1.5 hour trip on Sunday.  We always loved the aquarium.  With two trips and the fact that we had other pics of the aquarium, it was an excellant chance to practice some photography.  And a challenge in some of the darker areas.  The otter exhibit has always been one of my favorites and we spent lots of watching them- even saw a girl drop her cell phone into the otters water.  The otters pounced on it. . . a new toy.  We also arrived both days just in time to see the last dolphin show. 

One really huge ship left the port while we were at the aquarium. . . I mean really huge!

Like the distortion. . . they had a dome thing you where you could stick your head “into” the one of the tanks.

Cody took these next two shots of me. . . in the tank. . .

Just for mom:

The aquarium highlight though happened with about 10 minutes before the aquarium closed in the viewing area underneath the dolphin tank- where they held an impromptu underwater show practice.  Oh my goodness, to see the dolphins interact and their faces.  It was amazing.

All of these pics are unedited except for sharpening done when uploading.  We took over 1500 pics which of course have been edited down tremendously but I haven’t had a chance to even begin editing them. And as you can see by the number of pictures posted here. . . I’ve had a tough time narrowing down my favorites.

The 100- Best Punishment Ever

Well, I went from exhausted and trying to catch up from one weekend to a weekend under the weather.  I really want to share these pics from last week but still haven’t had a chance to do any editing.  So, I’ll share them SOOC.

Last Wednesday, Cody and I went down the arboretum to get some photo practice in.  Of course, he was his usual persnickity self.

And, it was some time in this moment when he took a picture of me that I’d had enough.  And so, for whatever silly little thing he did, I punished him- with 100 additional shots of him.  (Mind you it was light hearted)

I pretty much let him do his thing while I took pictures of him from different angles and played around with composition.

And just for the record, my husband does not have man-boobs.  I know I’ve posted pictures to the contrary before and I have  no idea what he did with his shirt but I have lots of beautiful shots of him from this shoot with breasts.  So mad at myself for not catching that while I was shooting.  I guess I just need to remember that he’s like the little boy whose always going to have his shirt untucked and really check out what he’s got going on.

Needless to say, I’m really glad I had 100 shots to finally get it right.  But, I’m really happy that I did take the 100 shots.  It was an excellant exercise.  I had to get more creative.  And, this shot, which is one of my favorites, was one of the last ones that I took.

And, as you can see, we had fun with it!  Doesn’t that shot say something about my sweet husband.  Even after sitting for 100 shots, he still looked at me that way.  Or perhaps in his head he was really laughing at me standing on the bench beside him. . . perhaps he needs another 100 shot punishment.

A Day of Rest: Sunday Scribbles

Today, well at least this afternoon, has been a day of rest in the Jenkins household.  I declared later last week that we would rest. . .no matter what the weather did.  Sunday we would get some rest.  Sundays should be filled with faith, family, and rest.  We haven’t observed that rest part in quite some time.

I thought scribble down some goings on just to keep you all in the loop.

- I said the day was a day of rest- THIS afternoon because:

1) I woke up at 1 something this morning.  Our old bed left me so achy that I got up and went to the living room to sleep.  I never do that.

2) We got to church and there was no power.  So, after arranging chairs/hymnals/etc into the Narthex, we had our monring services by windo light and piano.

3) Since the church service was a bit warm, we needed something to drink.  We stopped at the convenience store for a fountain coke and donuts (Shame, Shame, I know but the donut shop was right next door.)  We wound up having a leak on the truck. . . Cody said it was a major antifreeze leak.  I start thinking the worse. . . we’ve spent so much getting the trailer ready at the deer lease that the thought of a repair bill stopped me in my tracks.  It turned out to be a hose that came loose.  We walked over to Lowe’s for hose clamps, screwdrivers, and pliers (Cody’s tools were in the other truck from our trip to the deer lease yesterday.)  Cody fixed the problem in the convienence store parking lot.

So, the day did not start of normal at all.

- Watched the Royals win again today!  They’ve one 5 out of 6.  That’s been fun.  Now, it’s football games and hunting shows on TV.

- I start my new photography class tomorrow (Karen Russell’s) and I’m super excited about that. 

- Cody and I are being sure to get some rest today because it’ll be a busy week.  My class starts and Cody has an Elder’s meeting tomorrow.  Then, next weekend, Cody has big hunting plans with some old college roommates.  (I’m still finger crossed that it all works out ok for him.)  I’m trying to figure out what I want to do next weekend. 

- I mentioned my jelly roll purchases last weekend.  I can’t wait to start sewing them into a quilt.  But, first I need to finish a few other sewing projects including curtains for the deer lease trailer.

- We’ve got the trailer all painted- Olympic Morning Fog (my favorite color).  We’ve started moving stuff in and it’s nearing it’s final stages for this deer season’s preperations.  Can’t wait to have it done!  Here’s a few fuzzy pics of the trailer just to prove it’s nothing fancy.  Though we’ve poured our work into the inside and it looks much better than the outside at this point.  (We’ll clean up the outside- when the water gets figured out- and someday paint it too!)

(You can see all the mess we have outside of it too!  Can’t wait until we can burn and quit looking like white trash in the yard.)

Go Where You’re Lead

Yesterday, I took the afternoon off.  I scheduled a hair appointment and used the rest of my time to do a little shopping- to follow where inspiration led me.

The first stop was Hobby Lobby.  I needed fabric for a couple of shirts I want to try making.  Not being a seamstress there’s not telling how that venture will turn out.  I’d been looking at fabrics online and found a few that I loved.  I knew I wouldn’t find them at Hobby Lobby but I hoped to find something similar.  Fabric shopping online though was really interesting.  I learned what a Jelly Roll was when a search for the fabric I liked brought one up.  Then, I was learning about cakes and fat quarters.  Shopping for fabric at Hobby Lobby was not so exciting.  But, I found some.

On my way downtown, I lamented about how we don’t have any good places to buy fabric.  Hancock is long gone and even Walmart no longer has fabric.  I got downtown in time to do some antique shopping.  I thought maybe I’d find an old table cloth or fabric.  I had some time before my hair appointment.  Then, I found that several shops that used to have antiques no longer did.  I headed for the large antique mall where I knew there would be all kinds of interesting things to inspire me. 

But, when I got to Main Street, the flood gates opened.  And I began to think I’d never get across the street- or have time to really shop on the other side of the streeet.  It was as if my body was telling me to hook a left turn down the sidewalk.  I decided not to buck the urging.  I knew there had been some antique stores down there. 

I didn’t make it that far.  I found a new store, Lyrics, and it drew me in.  I was meant to go there.  I know that now.  I was just following some divine leading.  And once I got in store, it was divine.  It’s a fabric/quilting store!  With many of the fabrics I’d been looking at online- mostly in Jelly Rolls, Cakes, Fat Quarters, etc.  (Had it been a week earlier, I wouldn’t have even known what treasure I’d just found.)  It was quite inspiring and really got my creative juices going.  Ideas and projects came flooding to my brain.  And the color- oh the colors.  And Patterns and Idea books.  And fabric choices. 

I kept watching the time but I didn’t want to leave.  I managed to hold out and not buy up the entire store.  After my hair appointment, I went back and forth in my mind and with footsteps wanting to go back but knowing it probably wasn’t wise. 

All I could talk about when I met up with Cody was Jelly Rolls and Fabrics and this new store Lyrics.  Poor man had to put up with it all night- through our monthly grocery shopping, the whole way home, and most of the evening at home.  It was so bad that Cody and I began joking about my Jelly Rolls, real Cinnamon Rolls, and Panera Bread each time we heard a plug for Panera listening to the baseball game.  (I told you he really enjoyed the Cinnamon Rolls from the Panera in the KC Plaza)

I went back to the store with Cody today.  He didn’t get it but hew knew I did and that was enough.  He was just as support- I knew without him around I’d go financially bonkers.  I walked out with two jelly rolls of the collection that included the fabric that originally led me to jelly rolls online.  (They’re on the bottom left of the bottom picture.)  And they put them in a box similar to what you’d use for a cake.  How cute was that!

If your in Nacogdoches, be sure to check out Lyrics on Main Street.  They also do sewing lessons.  I’d have signed up yesterday but I’ve got Karen Russell’s photography class which starts in just a week. . . so, after that, I know what classes I want to take next.

It’s just so strange how things unfolded yesterday afternoon.  I just went where I was lead and wound up finding a real gem.

Flashback Friday: Balloon Races- July 2008

Last year, Cody and I went to our second balloon races in Longview.  This time we let my little brother tag along.  We’d only been there the Sunday morning races a few year back but knew we wanted to see what the balloon glow is about. It was a long weekend and I’ve got a million pictures, but I’ll try to keep it somewhat condensed.

We were there super early.  Parking fills up fast and when you’re not from around there, you want to be prepared.  We headed out just after work.  It was hot, of course- it’s July.  Dryer’s was giving out Dips- and we instantly fell in love with them as we ate them in the shade we found beside an eighteen wheeler trailer.  Who wouldn’t fall in love with ice cream on a hot July day- especially when it’s free.  There were planes to look at and I took a few shots.  We hung out in the grass for quite sometime.  . . my brother and I playing dueling cameras and sharing pictures.  Our DSLR’s were still really new at the time.  Eventually, the festivities really kicked off.  The planes flew over.

Then some of the balloons aired up and took a little flight.  Cody and I remembered how cool it was to watch them fly and my brother found out what we’d been telling him.

As the festivities turned to the actual Balloon Glow, they sang the anthem. . . and then BOOOM!  OK, that’s not quite the sound but it came with a thunderous boom.  What was it you ask. . . the sound of hot air balloons lighting up the sky. 

I can just about guarantee that Cody, Jack, and I were standing there with our mouth’s wide open in awe.  We hadn’t expected that at all.  It was a total shock.  The awe didn’t stop.  You really can’t imagine just what a balloon glow is like until your there. . . walking around all the balloons.

We got home really late. . . and got up just a few hours later. . . turned around and drove all the way back.  It’s not but a little over an hour but with very little sleep it felt like forever.  Then we waited, and waited.  The sun started to come up and we pitched our spot on the grass. . . Then we waited, and waited.  It was too windy to fly.  We were bummed but so were the balloon racers.

We were faced with another long wait. . . We wanted to see the balloon glow that evening.  Gas prices were super high and we didn’t want to drive all the way home.  We went to the “unphotographed” park I mentioned yesterday and slept in the truck.  After a while, we walked around and I did take pictures, really I promise.  Then we went to the Oil Museum.  I’d always wanted to do that but I honestly expected something a bit different.  I got some of the most awesome pictures of the old town they have set up, really I promise.  We went to Circuit City where I got a good camera bag.  We went to see Wall-E and really didn’t enjoy it.  (I think we were too tired to enjoy it. . . it seemed really slow for a kids movie.)  Then we went to Whatatburger.  We checked out the great shots that I’d taken, really I promise.  My brother had some great ones too and we enjoyed looking at them. . . But then, somehow in my exhaustion, I deleted all my pics from the day.  I was sooooooo bummmmmmed. 

But, it wasn’t long after that and I was happily snapping away again.

Now, the entire day, we were in contact with my parents trying to get them to come to the Balloon glow.  They finally did.  And, this time knowing what would happen after they played the anthem, my brother and I set up in tandem with our cameras pointed directly at my parents. 

Oh, dad had the same delayed reaction we’d all had the night before. . . the “I should be taking pictures” finally came around to him though.  (I love how these images capture the awe of the moment which we’d felt the night before and were reliving again.  But, I bet mom’s ready to ”bop me” for posting them.)

 We were as enthralled Saturday night as we’d been Sunday night.  But, boy were we tired (and hot).  Neither of which really bothered us until the lights went out.

A few months later, I booked an air conditioned screen shelter at the state park near where the Balloon races were for the traditional balloon race weekend. . . I did not want to have to make the drive back and forth and wanted to have a place to crash during the day.  I wound up having to cancel that reservation as it’s the weekend we went to Corpus Christi following my mother-in-law’s surgery. 

That reminds me. . . I need to make a to do to reserve it for next year.

School Is Back and So are the Memories

The college “kids” are back in town.  And you know what that means- Walmart and the traffic in town are crazy.  But, for Cody and I, it means something else.  Today is the 15 year anniversary of the date we met.  I don’t know if I’ve told you this or not. . . It was Chemistry.  Chemistry was my very first college class and the first of the semester.  Technically, it was after chemistry lab that evening that my lab partner, Lane, introduced Cody and I. 

Five years ago, I did a little album celebrating the 10 year anniversary of this date.  These are a few of the layouts from that album.  The first one features the area where we walked that first night- and many, many other times over the course of our lives.  The second one includes the Chemistry Building and pictures from the Ag Pond when/where Cody proposed.

And looking at these pictures, I realize we were “kids” ourselves.  I also remember all the fun we had in those days and realize we still have a lot of fun.  I’m so glad that God’s plan for me included Cody in my life.

(I can also see the evolution in my scrapbooking over the past five years when I look at these.)

The Morning Skies Taunt Me

Some mornings I hate going to work.  When the skies look like these, I’d rather be somehwere else. 

I took thse shots about a week ago.  But, it happened even just yesterday morning- before I’d even seen the skies. . . I could see the color on the sidewalk and knew what was overhead.

I’d rather be photographing the beautiful skies in front of me rather than wastching from behind me.  I don’t have a choise though, I have to go to work.  So, I probably drive Cody crazy on these mornings as I carry on about the light and the colors in the skies as he drives us to work.  I normally don’t take pictures because it’s hard to get great shots through all the truck windows at 70 MPH.  And since I love to “sneak” in shots of Cody driving, I’msure he’s glad I don’t.

But, I can’t help but wish I could photograph these mornings.  I dream of a day when I don’t have to go to work and can capture the beautiful sky.

Of course, in that dream, there aren’t any powerlines as well.

Flashback Friday: Robber’s Cave and Broken Bow

While going through my old pictures, I decided to implement Flash Back Friday’s here on my blog- a chance to tell the unblogged stories our snapshots tell.

Today’s Flashback: September 2007.  We took a week off and headed north to Oklahoma.   We got a room at the lodge at Robber’s Cave.  That was super cool in and of itself.  It’s 20 rooms that look like hotel rooms.  We were only one of two rooms filled that night and it was like we had the place to ourselves. . . Your room- like a hotel, step outside, like you’re camping.  What a view we had!

(Here’s the problem with blogging this far after the fact. . . I have no idea.  I don’t know if he just didn’t want to cooperate or there was, at that time, some type of story behind this one.)

Robber’s Cave in and of itself was quite a feat for me.  I’ve become so scared of heights as I’ve grown older.  (This didn’t use to be the case as I loved the Astroworld ride that dropped you 8 flights in a matter of seconds.)  Robber’s Cave also meant lots of climbing.  The views were spectacular from up high as well. 

I was a tree hugger.

 They were my friends.

Cody had no fear.

Even after this.

He was no worse for the wear.

And, I had a great time despite my nerves being shot.

We took a windy scenic drive before we headed back down south to Broken Bow.  We aren’t likely to take that drive again any time soon.

But we were anxious to get to Broken Bow.  We knew they were stocking with trout.  We knew the trick to geting them.  And we knew it would be perfect fishing the next morning.

Or so we thought. . . Turned out the lake must have turned over.  There was too much sulfur in the water (and it stunk too) and no one was catching fish.

But we still enjoyed the beautiful water while we tent camped there at Beaver’s Bend.

And, we enjoyed getting on and in the water- but thankfully that was two activities instead of one.

Oh, and then there was the No Tell Motel Cody took me to. . . .

I created a little post card to myself to commemorate this great moment in our marriage.  It reads:

“Just a Note

We’re having a great time here in Oklahoma.  I really enjoyed climbing around at Robbers Cave.  You should be proud of yourself for not letting your fear of heights keep you from climbing.
But, stopping at this no-tell motel was not one of your finest moments.  This sign which seems to be from a by-gone era had been captured in my memory from our last trip here.  Cody obliged your request to stop and take pictures.  But as I took pictures I slowly realized that this was not the kind of establishment I should be parked in front of and began wondering what those on the highway were thinking of you.
Me, Myself, and I”

The Old Front Porch Planner- Beta Edition Available Now

I am so excited to announce that The Old Front Porch Planner, at least the Beta Edition, is now available. This is a projec that I’ve wanted to share for several years and am now able to do just that. It’s really more than a planner as it’s also a journal. At the core of this planner is the idea of a balanced life which includes more than just being organized but also focusing on our faith, family, and friends and cherishing life itself.

Sure this planner has your usual pages to help keep you organized- the calendars, to do lists, the meal planning pages, the clothes size lists, etc. But, it also allows you to record the stories you want to tell, the moments to cherish, your triumphs, etc.

You can read more about the planners release over at The Old Front Porch or buy the planner here.

Beta Edition: I’m releasing this Beta Edition (September- December) now and will release the full 2010 version in November following feedback from the Beta Edition.

Photography Walk Date

I mentioned Cody and I’s little photography walk earlier this month- where I got a picture of my off-centered and awkward husband- oh, I mean an off centered and awkward picture of my husband.  By bad, honey.

Here’s a few other shots from that walk. This first one is my favorite shot from the batch.