happy halloween

I was visited by a fairy tonight.


A fairly who flitted about on top of the hay bales.

A fairly who turned and posed so I could photograph her wings.
A fairy who fell off the hay bales while flitting about, but was caught by Greg, then giggled and got back up to flit again.

Then as she left, she said, "Thank you Geg, I had fun taking pictures wit you."
And as I showed her a couple of the photos, she said, "Oh, so pretty," as she did a spin to watch her skirt fly. Such a girly girl.
While waiting for the fairy to visit us, G and I tested the lighting with a few of our own.
My pants got REALLY wet from sitting on these hay bales. I had a photo to prove it, but I was too chicken to post it.

And after the fairy departed, we took a ride around the farm on the side-by-side. The light was absolutely gorgeous tonight.



happy halloween!

playgroup at the orchard

Lots of photos, so I'll let them do the talking.














Cara & Lorie on the "Cider Slider." Every time I see this it just makes me smile.










Whew! We had a great time. Cara left with a big bruise, but other than that, we all made it home in one piece.

happenings

When I'm stressed and worried about forgetting something, I make lists. I usually draw little check boxes next to my "to do" items and then check them off as the day goes on and admire the list when every box is marked. Today, however, I only got to check one thing off my list. I did so much today, lots of things to work towards checking off the items on my list, but only one completed item. So, at the end of the day, I looked at that lonely check mark and realized that it's not that I didn't do anything, I just need to write out all my tasks step by step so I can check off more things during the day. heehee.

Since a lot has happened since I posted last, this post will just be a list so I don't forget anything and so I feel accomplished today.

1. Launched the November kit at Studio Calico. This was a huge feat as it was the first time I put together the slideshows and during that same time period, made sure all the shop items were correct, inventory was done, kits were packed, email newsletters were sent, AND the new kit photos worked correctly (which seems simple, but after you edit every photo 3 times, you realize the job isn't that simple after all). Of course, I couldn't have done it without Lorie, Stephen, Cara, Kristen, Mom, Kennon, and Maggie (who took all the kit photos this month).
   

2. Granny #3 who I call "Bertie." Her real name is Berta Faye, but she is my "Bertie." When I was born (along with my twin sister of course), my mom had to have emergency surgery and afterward needed help taking care of us. Her mom lived hours away and my uncle was still in school, so that option was out. Dad's mom worked as a schoolteacher, so that was out as well. So, several ladies from church volunteered to come each day. It didn't take long until mom canceled all the other ladies and just asked Bertie to stay with us all the time. She chose us and we chose her. Apparently, we instantly fell in love and were much better, more contented babies when she was around, so ever since, she has been my grandmother. It's actually a longer story than this, but to keep with my list format, I'll expound more on that later.

After I left Bertie's house on Saturday, she had a mild stroke on Sunday. She's been in the hospital the past two weeks, but is going to be home soon. She's doing very well.

3. Jackson's Orchard. I was determined to make it there this fall since I haven't been since last year, so I went during playgroup time (several of the mothers from church with their young kids get together each Thursday), and took photos. I'll post those tomorrow, but here's one to whet your appetite.

4. House. We've had lots of things delivered, but they're all in crates so there's not much to look at. But, just as an update: The drywall is complete, the plumbing is complete (well, no fixtures are set yet), we're trying to decide on the stain for our floors (they go in next week), the brick on the fireplace is being fixed tomorrow, tile will start next week, and we're in the process of choosing paint colors.

5. Home Front. Putting the final touches on Studio Calico's first release to retailers. It will go live later this week for purchase, shipping mid-November (really, we're shipping earlier than that, but I like to over-deliver instead of over-promising). Email info@studiocalico.com to set up a wholesale account.

6. Recovering. I go tomorrow for a prerequisite to my next round of fertility treatment. Hydrosonogram. Sounds like something with water and I've chosen to be blissfully ignorant on the rest. It's unlike me to not thoroughly research anything that's going to happen to me, but I'm expecting this to just be quick and then I'll be on my way to the next round and back to my regular researcher self. Wish me luck.

I'll post the Jackson's Orchard photos tomorrow. Can't wait! But for now, this list is complete.

i'm sleepy

Last night was horrible.

Let's just say I'm used to sleeping without the back door being opened about 343 times during the night.

Let's also say I'm used to sleeping without 10 intoxicated 20-somethings outside, and in the bathroom across the hall, and in the kitchen.

Let's also say I'm used to sleeping without dogs barking at said persons.

Let's just say I'm old and cranky and I think "kids" should be taught respect and consideration.

So, at 4:00am, after 2 hours of partying, I marched outside and asked how long the party would be lasting so I'd know how long I'd be laying in bed awake, getting hungry, and fuming on the inside. The question was met by a thousand apologies and another 2 hours of partying, and door opening, toilet-flushing and barking. And at 6:05, my 4-year-old cousin woke up and the noise resumed. I welcomed that noise.

Now that my rant is over, here are my sneaks. This is your prize for listening to my complaints.


All items are from the STREET FAIR add-on + Bronze & Blue Raspberry Mists. The bronze just meshes with this add-on so so so well. I used "Going Gray" Stampin' Up! ink on the pumpkins.

All items from the main kit, MARKETPLACE, well except for the thread.


Again, all items from the main kit. I loved how this layout turned out.


All items from the BAZAAR kit. Do I spy wood veneer? Why, yes I do. Love that stuff!

Items from the main kit + Carter Stamps + 1 flower from the BAZAAR add-on. I used brown mist there, but I really wish I had used bronze. I also used "Going Gray" ink by Stampin' Up!


This ended up being my favorite layout. I love the photo on this layout and I loved how it turned out. Can't wait to show you the whole thing.

tour de grandmothers part 3

Grandmother #2 lives in Corpus Christi, so mom and I headed down there on Saturday afternoon. It was three hours away, so we had to stop for Sonic drinks twice along the way :)

Then, when we got to Corpus, my cousin Shana was waiting for us to take her to Sonic for happy hour.


In all, I think we went to Sonic 5 times in 4 days with Shana as an outing. Sad but true.

Apparently, in Shana's world, the only reason to go to church is that it's followed by a Sonic drink. I can relate to her philosophy. Happy Hour certainly gives one a sense of purpose in life.

Back to the visit. On Saturday, we played Skip-Bo and visited.
Sunday was church and more Skip-Bo.
Monday was bowling and more Skip-Bo.


Mom getting all suited up and talking about how nice and new the shoes were. Seriously.

Shana bowls in Special Olympics and her average is a 72. She uses a ramp, but not the bumpers and it's actually more difficult to bowl that way than normal. You'd think the ramp would help, but actually, it has more to do with the weight of the ball and the position of the holes. Trust me, she knows all about it, but she also thinks the color of the ball matters, too :)

Okay, so this is not the best photo, because I handed the camera over to mom without changing the focus setting, but it's the only one I have to illustrate my point. After 2 days, I guess Shana hadn't noticed my long hair, but literally as soon as I stepped down from bowling my first frame she hasn't stopped signing about wanting long hair since. I suppose she noticed because my back was to her, but anyway, I must have told her 50 times that she had to be patient and it takes time for hair to grow. I almost went out and cut mine just to even the playing field :)

Mom's rear. This is the reason she can say I need to lose weight. She's not a hypocrite, I tell you.

I tried to get a photo with Granny's mouth closed, but it just wasn't happening and this was the least awkward of the photos.

Shana, trying her luck with the yellow ball. (Aunt Jeana is helping)




My goal was to break 100 and I did. Check out that strike-spare-strike run in the 8th, 9th and 10th frames!

Mom still beat me with 148 and Shana beat her average by 2 points, so we were all happy except for my aunt Jeana.

Tuesday, we took photos and said good-bye and this is what happens when you try to get a serious photo with my mom's side of the family:


Then, Granny made a comment about a memorial service she went to. She said the wife couldn't find a photo of her husband without her in it....kind of a sweet comment. But, then we decided, we should head off that problem and go ahead and take a funeral photo for Granny. This was the result.


Kind of morbid, but we were having a good time.


All these photos are posted SOOC (straight out of the camera). I would have edited more, but I don't have actions saved on this computer. But, anyway, at least my lighting in most of them was okay. Getting better at shooting in manual thanks to Maggie.