My Week 98

August 6th my little honey wasn't up to her best. She had a summer cold. I helped her find a quiet project to do while I spent the afternoon sewing. Here she is making a friendship bracelet. She is using a contraption she got for Christmas made especially to hold the threads while she makes the knots.

I have been at my sewing machine in months and months and months, but today was the day to "get'er done!"

In one afternoon, I:

-Mended one dress, two pairs of jeans, two shirts, and a pair of pajama bottoms.

I then:

-made THREE hooded towels

-refashioned a shirt into a tunic

 

-refashioned a shirt into a shrug

and

- made two pairs of the cutest underwear I have ever seen out of old t-shirts.

Yes...my kid is the one wearing homemade underwear. tee hee

August 7th I just couldn't let the day pass without taking a photo of the underwear I made.  Aren't they adorable?  Other than that....I have no idea what I did this day.  NO IDEA.

 

 

August 8th we headed into town for some errands, and then spent part of the afternoon at the park with friends.  I had a great time chatting with the adults, and Sugar Bear enjoyed her time with some kiddos.  After the others left, we walked around the park, and she picked a "lamb's ear" leaf, and spend the rest of the day rubbing it on her face.  :)

 

 

August 9th was a daycare/work day for us girls.  After a long day, we dropped by our shop and picked up The Hubby to head home.  Every time I drive by the boat ramp by the slough, I see these flowers in the evening light.  I usually don't take the time to stop, but that night I did.  I loved trying to get the perfect angle to get the bokeh circles from the glimmering water of the slough, and the sun coming through the petals of the flowers, and the cool "Shadow effect" the WIDE OPEN setting of my lens created.  I love it when it all comes together.

 

 

August 10th we took a walk today as a family. It has been AGES and AGES since we have done that. We all do it....pretty often, just sort of in mixed groups. This time we were all together. Even stuffed kitty came along. :)

I got several good shots, but I was drawn to this one. My husband isn't fond of me taking photos of him. Actually....he rarely allows it, so this one is pretty special.

 

 

August 11th we attended a family reunion at the river on Saturday. It was so beautiful down by the water, and I caught my girl just standing back and taking in all the wonder around us. We can't let these sorts of things go unnoticed.

 

 

August 12th Today was such a fantastic day. It was family picnic day for my 20th High School reunion. I so enjoyed hanging out with old friends and getting all caught up. I didn't really take any pictures of the event. I was more about the chit chatting.  Believe it or not....we had a pretty good turn out.  This is half of our entire class.  :)  Gotta love small towns.

We are used to 50-70 degree weather, and it was 96 today, so it was hot hot HOT for us. When we got back to my parent's house following the reunion, I let my little Sugar play in the sprinkler to get cooled off. She is such a goof ball, and wanted to put her goggles on. 

 

52 Weeks of ME- Week twenty-seven

Theme of the week:

At work/At Home

Being that I only work about 6 hours a week in the summer, and I have already taken a few pictures at work, I decided to grab my shot at home. I really didn't have a plan, and yesterday was such a pretty evening, so I went outside with my camera....and looked around. I decided I wanted to try to get a shot of Tiny, our mini horse, and myself. I set my camera on our picnic table, and set the timer, but couldn't get the silly horse to stay in the frame. I was getting pretty annoyed. The Hubby was watching me, and came out to try to help. I was feeling grouchy, and just gave up on that idea, mostly because my remote shutter release was acting up as well.

The Hubby sat down in the grass and was trying to get the horse to come over. She was having none of it. Ivy, our dog....was happy to oblige though. I aimed my camera at the hubby, and moved out in front of the camera to see if my remote would work. It did, and I jumped into the shot with him. and here we have the FIRST picture of the two of us together since.....2002. yes....I said 2002. Nearly 10 years.

You have to understand that my husband doesn't normally allow photos to be taken of him. The rare one's you'll find of him on here are all I have.....and those are usually snuck by me hiding behind a tree. tee hee.....not really, but almost that bad. He just doesn't allow them. So when he didn't squawk.....and then let me push the shutter release again....(after removing my coat), and again. and a few times with the dog. I was over the moon excited.

These shots have their issues, and my hair is totally WONKY from the back lighting......or the fact that I may have NOT brushed it that day (whistling), but I love them. Sugar Bear will love them. I am so very excited that this happened. I guarantee if I walked over and asked my husband if I could take a picture with him right now.....or tomorrow.....or in the next month, or year, it will be "NO WAY!" I don't know why he let it happen.....but I'm grateful. I only wish Sugar had been home. There is yet to be a picture of all three of us. Crossing my fingers.....as I have hope.

On the 13th of this month, we'll be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. What a great gift this already is. ♥

Be sure to head on over to visit Jessie and Cara to see all the fabulous ladies taking part in this cool project.

The hubby (repost)

*******REPOST ALERT! YES, AGAIN! Hey...I'm in Disneyland...you can't expect me to be blogging, now can you? Just imagine me skipping along holding hands with Mickey right about now!

This REPOST is for Kimberly, and Jen, in particular, but many of you folks newer to my blog might find it interesting as well. Back in Januaryu of this year, I asked my readers for a little inspiration, and I've been trying to answer some of thier questions. Today's repost is an effort to point folks in the right direction for answers about The Hubby. True...I wrote it in 2009, but everything is still correct, and not a lot has changed. If after reading all this, you have more specific questions....just leave them in comments. I'm a pretty open person, as you'll see, and you can ask, and I may or may not answer, but I'll certainly not judge you for asking. We are curious folks...I get that. ENJOY! *****

Yeah, back in January, I posted my 500th post, and asked my readers to inundate me with questions. A few of you, took me up on that, and have been so patient in waiting for the answers (As long as you don't count that one death threat, and the burning pile of dog poo I found in the porch the other day.) I did managed to cover some of the random questions HERE, a version of my perfect day HERE, and got a bit wordy HERE about the photography queries.

So BACK OFF!

As much as I'd like to continue to procrastinate doing the tougher questions, I simply can not deny that I actually have the time today to tackle all the questions about The Hubby today. It is Spring Break, The Sugar is at preschool today, The Hubby is working, and it isn't late at night, and my brain is actually functioning. Sounds like a perfect combination to knock this puppy out. So here goes.....

In an effort to not have to rehash the whole story, if you haven't been along for this whole "Living and Loving" ride, please head over here and read a bit about the foundation. Due to his desire for privacy, I rarely write about him. I did, however, give in and open a bit up about him here. Please check those two posts out before moving on. I'll wait. In fact, I'll take this time to go eat a cinnamon roll. It is lonely, and has been calling me name. I'm just gonna eat it to shut it up. K?

Okay...so I take it we're all back, and completely up on the saga of my life. I'll wipe the frosting off my fingers, and get to it.

I know, I briefly mentioned that The Hubby and I have been together since the beginning of time High School, but Aspiemom wondered where I met him. I wish I remember the very first time we saw each other, but I hardly remember what I had for lunch yesterday, so it is a little much to expect from my feeble mind. I do know, that I am a third generation graduate of my High School, and I started attending that School District my 2nd grade year. The Hubby, however, moved to my hometown sometime during his Junior Year, which was my Freshman Year. While I don't recall the exact day I met him, I do have some early memories of him. He remembers seeing me on the school bus, and I remember drooling over his lifted, red and white 1979 Ford pick-up. It really stood out in our small town. No one else had anything like it. Remember, that he already worked for his dad in Commercial Fishing, so he had more money than the rest of us lazy teenagers.

The Hubby and my brother were in the same class, and became friends. It wasn't until the following year, that we started spending time together. Soon we were dating. It was my first real relationship. In fact, by the fall of my Junior Year, I was completely and utterly FREAKED out to be so serious. Doing what any crazy teenage girl would do. I broke up with him. It was awful, and broke both our hearts. For nearly a year, we remained apart, and unhappy. The Summer of my Senior Year, we got back together....and the rest....is history. We dated for 5 years, then got married, after I finished College. We will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary this July. Man.....time flies.

That brings us to present day. Jo Beaufoix asked me if The Hubby ever poses for photos for me. The answer is a pretty big NO. As you read in that second post I linked to about hubby (what you didn't read it????? SHAME ON YOU!), the only time he easily allows me to take photos is when he with with a dead animal. I'm sorry to say, I can't stomach it, and do not try to take a nice portrait. I just simply point and shoot. All the other photos I have of him, are ones I snuck when he wasn't paying attention. The other day, I realized that there is not a single photo of us together since 1996. I was shocked...but not surprised. Upon further contemplation I remembered that there are a few of us together at my brother's wedding, in 2004. It is a bit sad, and something I need to remedy. I mentioned it to him, and he may allow some shots of us one of these days. He is just so self-conscience, and doesn't value the documentation of his life. However, for my dear Sugar Bear, I must find a way to get her parents in the same photo. It is my newest mission.

Both Autumn and Gayle wanted to hear a bit more about The Hubby and Sugar Bear's relationship, and how I feel about it. You see, I have 100% responsibility of Sugar Bear, and while it is strange to MANY, it works for us. In fact, I works really well for me. I'm a bit of a control freak......yup.....I am, and particularly about parenting decisions. I rather like that I have 100% say on how Sugar Bear is raised, and I like to think it makes it easier on Sugar Bear, as she has very consistent parenting. So many parents struggle to agree on some many parenting decisions, and I am POSITIVE that The Hubby and I would be arguing A LOT about all the details, because we are very different people. Instead, all things are diverted to me, and since my connection with Sugar is so deep, I don't mind one bit. From day one it has been all me. The best way to describe it is to think of a single parent. That is me. If it has to do with the care of Sugar, it is my job. Specifically, Autumn wondered if The Hubby had ever watch Sugar Bear alone. A combination of respecting their comfort levels, and my annoying control issues, it happens very rarely. Usually for no more than 45 minutes. I will run to the store, or something if she is sleeping. If she wakes up, they do fine while I'm gone, but neither feel real comfortable. As she gets older this happens more often, and it is easier on them. I think the first time, they were alone together Sugar was 2 1/2.

The Hubby and Sugar have a relationship that is unique to them. It is much like a Big Brother/Little Sister relationship. They play together sometimes, bicker at times, and while they love each other, they also annoy each other. The Hubby likes to share the things that interest him with Sugar. They tend to Tiny, the pony, together, he shows her all sorts of wildlife, and the things he builds. She finds him fascinating, and has learned a lot about the world from him. Again, as she ages, it becomes easier for them to find things to do together, as she shows more interest in what he is doing. We do family things together, as you can see if you peruse my blog a bit. We go to the beach, for drives in the woods, and so on. I am rarely alone, as Gayle wondered. In fact, I yearn for alone time. So many years of The Hubby being away fishing set me up for cherishing my alone time, now that it isn't as easy to come by.

I'm well aware of how strange it all sounds, but while it isn't the traditional family, it is working for us. I am grateful to have Sugar Bear in my life, and there honestly hasn't been a single day since her birth that I wished for help in her care from The Hubby. I firmly believe that if your accept things as they are, it is easier to manage it all. I never wish it was "his turn" to put Sugar to bed. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I don't spend time wishing things were different, because they simply are what they are, and I'm okay with that. I consider myself VERY lucky. Sugar Bear is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me.

The photos in this post were taken back in July when The Hubby, Sugar Bear and I went camping. The Hubby was helping our dog, Daisy, practice diving, and wanted Sugar to see better. The water in the creek was not only over Sugar's head, it was extremely cold. The best way for Sugar to see the action was on his shoulder's. I was so glad to have my zoom lens on my camera, as I was able to snap these shots. I added texture to them, as they weren't the best quality. I'm pleased with the results, and know that Sugar will cherish these photos when she is older.

Sometimes We Just Don't know What we are missing

Not too long ago.....I had QUITE A DAY. You may have read about it at the time, and may have thanked your lucky stars that you had never had a day LIKE THAT. To be completely fair, I must say that while I took it better than most people, it certainly was not appreciated. Seriously....the LAST thing I thought I needed was another pet......another responsibility....another stress. And I got FOUR all in one day. Add those to the THREE we already had, and it was so much more than I wanted. A week later, the hubby came home with TWO more bunnies. Those additions brought us to one short of TEN pets! UGH.....

Fortunately, the FOUR bunnies simply live in our yard.... well on our property, really. (okay....so they are taking over the neighborhood.) We have five acres. They hop around happily, and eat everything in sight. They have taken a BIG interest in our Miniature Horse, and they are all the best of friends. The horse keeps the predators away, and the bunnies keep the horse company. It has been good for everyone. Well....everyone except sweet Sugar Bear. You see....those darling bunnies.....don't let her pet them. They keep a pretty safe distance away, in fact. Not so much fun for a five year old with a yearning to snuggle a bunny.

Soooooooo a month or so later, I pleaded with The Hubby to make some bunny hutches, and we set about the adventure of owning MORE bunnies. I've already introduced you to Ocean, and Mace previously, and I have TWO more to introduce, but I'm not ready to do that just yet (meaning I haven't edited the pictures of them.) Instead, I want to focus a bit on Ocean again. I don't know about you....but I think she is quite possibly the cutest bunny in the whole wide world.

She always looks grumpy, but she isn't. She is an easy going little lady who puts up with some pretty degrading things.

And she does it with class, and sophistication.

She is my OSHEE POSHEE (oh she poh she).

OH how we love our Oshee Poshee MinOshee.....(yes I call her that EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!)

She is a lover, that girl......oh yes she is. Sugar Bear and Ocean get lots of cuddles in, and it melts my heart.......don't you love it?

Here's the deal, folks. I DID NOT want more pets. I absolutely DID.NOT.WANT.MORE.PETS!!!!

But......now....I can't imagine our life without them. (okay...to be fair....the snake could go....and I'm sure I wouldn't miss her.) The bunnies though.....let's just say we didn't know what our life was missing until we had them.

Somehow, I'm always surprised at how much there is to learn from pets. For Sugar Bear, the bunnies have been a good lesson in being calm and gentle. None of our other pets have required such quiet loving care, as bunnies scare quite easily.

I hate to admit it, but I'm glad that The Hubby continues to push me to do things I'd normally pass up. I did not want more pets, but I can't imagine not being able to watch these two:

playing together in their own special way. We are BLESSED.

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Or something like that.

A few weeks back, Sugar Bear and I spent a good deal of our day with The Hubby at his place of employment. When people ask Sugar what her dad does for work, she replies, "He's a Captain! He catches fish!" but she really hasn't seen him doing it.

We have visited his boat several times before, but she has never been out on the ocean. While The Hubby spends a good deal of his life out at sea, I get sea sick in the harbor. Even though we have been together since the dawn of time for 20 years, I have only once been out to sea, and while I think it is amazing and beautiful.....I get sick. We do not yet know if Sugar Bear gets sick, but I'm guessing that the time is coming near that we find out.

It was an unusually sunny day for late February, and I know The Hubby was happy to have us there. He had been out to sea, and was heading right back out after unloading his catch, which was mainly petrole sole, dover sole and black cod (all of which is considered pacific bottom fish).

We had fun exploring the boat, and even had to opportunity to hitch a ride from the slip (place the boat is tied up in port), to the fuel dock, to the fish plant. The railings are definitely NOT up to code when it comes to child safety, and I was totally wishing I had not forgotten her life jacket, but with someone standing close, I was able to snap a few shots of her enjoying the ride.

and she really did.

So many things to look at and point out. (Come back tomorrow to see what she was looking at.)

Then Sugar got her turn in the captain's chair (also considered being at the helm).

and I think it felt good!

Peeking at Mama from up in the the wheel house (where you drive the boat), while I looked up from the galley (the cooking and eating area).

All in all it was a perfect day for adventure. Maybe next time we'll brave the open sea. I think this girl might be ready!

Pass the Dramamine, Mama's gonna need it!

Nineteen

-He is an outdoors sort of guy.

-He can fix nearly anything that's broken.

-He can create nearly anything using some wire, a toothpick, a rubber band, and duct tape.

-He loves to try new things.

-He likes to show Sugar Bear how to do the things he loves.

-He doesn't have many fears, but the ones he has, he isn't afraid to talk about them.

-He makes the most amazing breakfast burritos I've ever tasted.

-He isn't afraid to cook with BUTTER....lots of butter.

-He tells me every single day how lucky he is to have ever met me.

-He still thinks I am the most beautiful person he knows.

-He calls me on the phone, "just because", nearly every day.

-He makes the BEST spaghetti in the whole wide world.

-He can make me laugh like no other person I know.

-His giggle makes me feel happy inside.

-He secretly likes "chic flicks".

-He is a kid at heart. ♥

-He isn't afraid to be himself in all situations.

-He knows his limits.

-He has unbelievable physical strength.

-He has an extremely high pain tolerance.

-His smile lights up his face.

-He isn't stingy with his money.

-He'll work diligently towards something he wants until he can get it.

-He refuses to use credit.

-He can be counted on to finish a job he starts.

-He'll pitch in if someone needs help.

-He'll do the difficult things no one else wants to do.

-He could survive in the wilderness with nothing but a pocketknife.

-He isn't afraid of death.

-He does what he wants.

-He loves bunnies! (tee hee)

-He likes it when I read aloud to him in the evenings.

-He trusts me.

-He's been my Valentine NINETEEN times.

Photostory Friday~ LIfe Interrupted by Reptiles

Last week, I.HAD.A.DAY! Oh was it a day. If you don't know about it....you might want clickity click that link, and get up to speed. We'll wait.....

Anyhoo.....let's just say it took me some days of adjusting this sudden turn of events. I've learned from experience that it doesn't pay to get all worked up about things. Life is too short. I can just take a new look at things, and find a way to appreciate what it is.

Now I'm not saying it didn't take me awhile. Cause it did, but last night...six days later, I consented to taking some pics of these new pets. For the record, it took me less time to accept the bunnies....cause....well.....they are bunnies...and who doesn't love bunnies? Even if they are eating everything in your yard.

So...without further ado (because we all know I tend to have WAY too much ado around here.)
I'd like to introduce to you......(drumroll please!).........Shiny the Ball Python!




Sugar Bear chose the name....so no snickering! She is 36 inches long, and chubby. To give you better perspective on her size, I took this photo with more of The Hubby showing. (he is not fond of pictures of himself.)




The Hubby is the only one who holds her, and she seems to really enjoy being handled. She will soon be enjoying her first meal at our house. A poor innocent little mousey. : Sugar Bear is very matter of fact about the whole thing though. She informed me that our cat catches and eats mice every single day, so I should not be sad if the snake does it. But I feel like it isn't the same. I don't go out and hand feed a mouse to the cat. Anyhow....I won't be watching this meal, and the jury is still out on whether Sugar will be observing or not. She really wants to, so I'm pretty sure I'll let her.





The next new pet up for inspection is......(another drumroll needed, but I'm sure it's lost it's luster.) Statue the Frilled Dragon!



Yes, Statue is about 12 inches long and pretty darn feisty! He eats crickets, meal worms, and veggies.




Some folks also call him a Christ Dragon, as he can walk on water. I'm sure you have seen this sort of lizard on TV. He can get up on his back legs and run. We have not seen him do this, and I'm actually not sure he knows he can. As the name, Sugar so perfectly chose, suggests, he mostly freezes and just waits for you to go away.





Here is a photo for perspective. He is sitting on The Hubby's shoulder here. He is the only one that holds Statue since it seems quite likely that he will bite. So far he hasn't, but I'm not taking any chances.




I mean...would you put her child's hands anywhere near THIS vicious monster???? I didn't think so!

So there you have it. The exciting new additions to the Living and Loving household. Lucky...lucky....US!

oh....and I TOTALLY know you are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous of my fabulous 1980's carpet. I know you are! Admit it!

Ever have one of THOSE days?

You know the ones........where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and realize right away that it would be in everyone's best interest if you just crawled back in bed, throw the covers over your head, and pray for the day to be over already. Instead you drag yourself through the morning routine of getting you and your child out of the house on time.

One of those days where every person you see asks if you are "feeling okay". You stare at them blankly and can't figure out one single reason in particular to be feeling so grumpy, but you simple are....just that....GRUMPY! Grouchy.....CROTCHITY!!!! Things that normally make you smile, fall on flat lips. You feel empty, and too full at the same time. Overwhelmed to the point that you just can't react at all.

One of those days where even your favorite food doesn't taste good. In fact, you hardly notice you have eaten at all. Your eyes droop, and your feet drag.

One of those days where nothing seems to go your way, but instead of having a bad reaction, you just shrug your shoulders and move on. It doesn't even surprise you when there is no toilet paper in the stall you chose. It doesn't even faze you when the paper towels are gone as well. Normally these things would annoy you, but today....it just goes along with the territory.

One of those days where you feel like you are in a strange fog, and you can hardly concentrate on the world around you. The conversations swirling around you seem to be in a distant room instead of right there in front of you. People ask you a question, and you answer in your head, and find yourself surprised when you realize that you haven't even opened your mouth.

One of those days when you plod from one thing to the next, and hardly remember doing anything. Your vehicle seems to be on auto pilot, and you can barely hear your child happily singing along to her favorite Laurie Berkner CD, but you can't possibly bring yourself to join in like you usually do.

One of those days when it seems like you have 400 things to carry in from your car, and not nearly enough hands to do it. You stumble up the stairs trying to hear all the things your sweet child is trying to tell you about her day. Your mind is racing with so many thoughts, and yet none of them stick. If you were asked what you were thinking about, you wouldn't even know.

One of those days where upon setting all the junk you just drug into your house down, you hear, "Look mommy! Bunnies!" You look up to see your husband's smiling face, and two unknown rabbits hopping around your living room. You glance to the left and see two NEW, HUGE aquariums stationed in your entry way. One has a 12 inch lizard in it, and one has a 3 foot python.

Ever have one of those days?

yeah....me too!

Tell Me Thursday~ Campin' times

Yesterday, I posted some pics of my little Sugar honey taking a ride on a motorcycle. I quietly asked if the reason for my loss of breath was her delighted smile. Autumn hit the nail on the head when she gandered a guess that it wasn't. While her smile surely lit up the entire world, my heart skipped more than a few beats watching her motor around on that thing.

I personally like to see her DRIVING this thing instead:

While she found GREAT joy, I was a nervous wreck. The driver is a friend of The Hubby. He is a very skilled rider, and while giving The Sugar her ride, he went quite slow. I insisted on the helmet. He had been riding around his daughter, who is a year older than Sugar without the helmet. Sugar Bear watched for quite some time, and then asked me if she could have a turn. I was sad to break her heart, but I simply couldn't let her do it without a helmet. She tugged my shirt and said, "There's a kids helmet up at Grandma and Papa's house!" and by golly she was right. My brother had left his daughter's helmet there. LUCKY DAY!

I think you can tell by her smile that she was completely and utterly enthralled with that motorcycle. Oh dear......I can see my future.

Those photos were taken earlier in this month while we were camping on my parent's property. It really is the perfect place to camp. It is located at the mouth of a creek meeting a river. There is a wonderful swimming area...

where the kids can play...

and the adults can snorkle.

Our Dog likes to get in on the action. She is a diving fool. It is her passion. I am NOT kidding. In these photos, The Hubby is sinking a shiny aluminum can, and Daisy dog is diving to get it. As you can see.....the water is about 5 feet deep. She dives with a spiral action. It is so fun to watch.

What a silly dog. She is obsessed. She did it so much that first day....she sprained her tail. I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING!!!!

Camping is great, and Sugar seems to agree with me....a person has to love campin' food.

This was the second campin' trip we took this summer. I haven't edited the pics from the first trip. THOSE will be coming, because we had a blast.