Tuesday, September 30, 2008

What do you get a boy for his 13th birthday?


an iTunes gift card


The final book in the Eragon trilogy


a double stand for his guitars


Season two of The Office on DVD


Across the Universe DVD


an iHome docking station for his iPod


Star Wars: the Force Unleashed for PS3

Happy birthday, Kohler! We can't believe you're a teenager (and that we're old enough to have a teenager!).

Friday, September 26, 2008

New Things Brewing . . .



I love the word "brew", and not in the coffee sense {although I love it that way too} but in the sense of new things coming. Also the word "percolate". Why is it the two words I love that mean new ideas, new thoughts, both also have to do with coffee? Sad, for someone like me who can't drink coffee. But both words bring a feeling of excitement and change. And it is coming.

I've been working on the idea of opening my own Etsy shop for some time now. I love what I see on there and have purchased several items from amazing sellers already. But it's time for me to do something. I have lots of ideas and am full up on inspiration. Now I just need to step up to the plate and dive in {how's that for mixing sports metaphors?!}.

I've been doing research, jotting down possible shop names and product ideas, buying supplies and reading crafty books and magazines. Now I just need to step away from the computer for awhile and work on product design and production. Possibly even two shops! I'd love to have one shop to sell my photography prints and another to sell handmade zakka-type items.

I'm excited about the possibilities. I have the time and the abilities, now I just need to push myself and take the plunge.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Overheard in the family room . . .

scene: the whole family sitting around the sofas watching a kid's movie.

me: where are you going, Stoehr? (as he runs up the stairs)

Stoehr: I'm going to get my book. (he had just bought it that morning, a rare occurrence)

Kaden: You read???!!! (with a tone of total amazement and wonder)

Priceless!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Back to School



We've been back to school for a few weeks now, and are getting settled back in the school routine. Spelling tests on Thursday and Friday, memory verses on Wednesday, P.E. on Monday and Wednesday, the music on Tuesday and Thursday. And that's just for the younger two! Things to be quizzed on and studied, papers to write, math problems to solve. Not to mention all the checks I have to write this time of year: Sally Foster, magazine sales, extra-curricular fees, field trip fees, p.e. uniforms, donations for this and that. Then on top of all that, after school activities: music lessons for three boys, Tae Kwon Do, swimming, soccer, and Pathfinders and Adventurers. There isn't a weekday that doesn't have some activity. I do love this though. I am so much happier when I'm busy. The other day I was driving down the road to some activity or school, and had such a feeling of happiness wash over me, and I realized it was because I was busy. A fast pace is definitely my preferred speed, and makes me appreciate the down time even more. Something I need to keep in mind for myself.