[ 109/365 ] ..... President George H.W. Bush

He was Vice President at the time, and held a campaign rally at my school. I was student body president and honored to introduce him. It was my 15 seconds of fame. I have a tie clip to prove it.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 108/365 ] ..... Uncle Frank

The most recent outlaw addition to the family, and not afraid to admit it. He loves Aunt Sues like crazy. They met on a blind date, and the rest is history. Always concerned about the comfort of others. Love him.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

Peanut Butter and Jelly... that's what I like in my belly

I can't express how much I love PB&J... and so does my son. Life is good. Summer is here. Next up, popsicles.

[ 107/365 ] ..... Bob L.

The best friend of one of my best friend’s husband. The only guy I stood up with at a wedding that I truly enjoyed his company. Many people know us as Fred & Wilma. Super funny. A genuinely nice guy.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 106/365 ] ..... Billy M.

The neighborhood bully. You know the one that will tease, harass, punch, and wreak havoc with anyone that crosses his path. I eluded his reputation, but only thanks to Peggy who beat the crap out of him one fine day.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

503 Photography Workshop

My favorite photos from the workshop

I have a secret. And I'm only sharing this with you. Are you good at keeping secrets? I hope so, because I don't want this to get out. Because if it does, then everyone will be really great photographers. And there isn't room in this world for a lot of us. Yep, I'm a great photographer. But that's not my secret.

My secret is the 503 Photography Workshop. I was an OK photographer before this workshop. But now I kick ass. Kick. Ass. I'm nothing if not humble.

Before = shooting my fancy DLSR in auto mode
After = shooting my fancy DSLR in full manual

Before = crossing my fingers I would get a great picture
After = confident I can nail my exposure, focus and composition

Before = using photoshop to create scrapbook pages
After = using photoshop to make amazing photos spectacular

All this in just six short weeks. Amazing! I need to pinch myself. It's like one of those classes you loved in college and you didn't want to end. You liked the people. You loved the instructor. And the material you were learning was something you were passionate about (not like Finance when I failed the final exam after studying my ass off... but I digress). No final exams in this workshop. But if there was I'm positive I would have nailed it.

Jess, love you girlfriend!! You rock. Thank you.

+++++++++++++

Click here to go to my Flickr set that contains all of the photos in the slideshow. I added my thoughts on each photo and what I was trying to achieve.

[ 105/365 ] ..... Kristin W.

I hired Kristin at Learning Resources back in the day. She was smart, a quick learner, and willing to tackle any project big or small. I loved her “go get ‘em” attitude and her realism kept most everything in check.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 104/365 ] ..... Deacon Jon

One of THE best homilists (is that a word?) I’ve ever heard. And a great guy to boot. He will be a priest soon, and I will be jealous of whatever parish gets him first. May God always bless him.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

I go on vacation!

Jeff and I caught Sean talking to no one in particular. Must be his imaginary friend. He was saying a lot of things and using lots of hand gestures. The words that we caught were vacation, socks & shoes, and bye bye.

So we asked Sean, "Are you going on vacation?"

"Da" he answered with a big grin.

The next thing we know Sean had grabbed his suitcase and whizzed by us saying, "bye bye, I going on vacation". He then promptly grabbed his hat, glasses, and stepped into daddy's shoes.

The kid makes us laugh every. day.

I know. You're jealous.

[ 103/265 ] ..... Aunt Harriet

My mom’s best friend, and an Aunt to me simply out of respect. She’s known me my whole life. Vacationing at Viking Bay resort in Minnesota. Catching fish. Playing cards. Lazy summer days gone by… but never forgotten, always cherished.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 102/365 ] ..... Laura M.

My “baby” cousin who’s all grown up! It’s scary, I remember when she was born, and now she’s expecting her second child herself. We were thrilled to attend her wedding last year and reunite. A great time and gracious hosts!
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 101/365 ] ..... Dr. Joy

My acupuncturist, friend, psychologist, you name it. She has stuck thousands of needles all over my body all in the name of health & fertility. My gut flora will never be the same!! I thank God for her every day.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 100/365 ] ..... Tami W.

So many overseas adventures. Watch out for those posts! Riding bikes. In snow. In rain. Dragging our laundry all over town. Tulips. Strange old man/tour guide in Brugge. Pinochle. Trains. Cute Dutch boys. Bars. Carnival. Hospitals? Thanks for the memories!
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 99/365 ] ..... Clare L.

Another church groupie friend. I adore Monday nights when I can get away and just BE with my friends. Clare has a fierce faith and works hard at nurturing it because she’s A-type. It’s inspiring to see it in action.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 98/365 ] ..... Joe L.

One Sunday, when I was pregnant with Sean, I had massive bleeding. An angel brought me communion. It was last minute, and he did it without hesitation. He was gracious, kind, and said all the right things. I’ll never forget.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 97/365 ] ..... Paul P.

A guy I dated in my twenties. Another one of those, why am I still dating you after three months? Looking back he was kind of creepy. More like a lot creepy. And my friends can attest to that fact.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 96/365 ] ..... Mom

My first best friend. Broken arms. Hugs & Kisses. Carpools. Room mother. Road trips. Tears when she dropped me off at college. Giving me away on my wedding day. The first person I call when I need someone to listen.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 95/365 ] ..... Kathy E.

She’s been my hairdresser since I was 16 years old. Love her for her cheap prices and good work. I’ll never forget the peppermints she gave me on my wedding day. The stomach flu was cured, and I looked beautiful.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

First Year Photo Book { Hello You Books }

I know, you're thinking "isn't Sean two and a half?" Yep, he is... so I'm a little behind. In all honesty I've had this printed for a while. It's gorgeous in hand. Trust me. Blurb does a fantastic job. But they recently came out with the option to share books online, so I'm taking it for a test drive below.

This is a HUGE 174 page photo book inspired by Paislee Press. Like her, I wanted to do something with all those random photos I took of Sean in his first year. There is very little journaling, only dates and descriptions. It's purely a photo book. And I love how it turned out.

Let me know what you think of it! And if you're wondering what to do with those gazillion snapshots you took of your little person in their first year, email me!

Your First Year Make Your Own Book

[ 94/365 ] ..... Dr. Lewis

My chiropractor. He’s gotten me out of a few rough spots with my back, and now keeps me pain free. Love hearing his thoughts on health, life, and politics. Sean was his smallest patient at only a few weeks old.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

Today. Defined. Joy.

The sound of children's laughter floating through the yard. Fresh cut grass. The chill of a spring day. Bubbles. Flying on the swings. Cries from rough housing boo boos. Tube sliding it over and over again. Two and three at a time. Hot Dogs & Pizza. Little one falling asleep during dinner. Portillos chocolate cake. Singing happy birthday. A day to remember. Today. Joy.

Happy Birthday Mom! Love ya!

[ 93/365 ] ..... Aunt Susie

My favorite outlaw aunt. She’s been in my life as long as I can remember. Always there with a smile and a hug. She rarely lets life get in her way, but when it does she can nap anywhere, anytime.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 92/365 ] ..... Pete L.

A high school friend. Fun loving and always up for a good time. Spiked Slurpees were definitely his idea. Came out of the closet in college. Always kept in touch. His life was taken too early, and I miss him.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 91/365 ] ..... Grandpa G.

His name was Herb. And this summed him up. A hillbilly from Missouri. A grumpy old man who laughed uncomfortably when I hugged him. I remember him wearing his work shirt, sitting in his recliner, smoking cigarettes, watching Cubs games.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 90/365 ] ..... Tiffany

A college friend who lived opposite the elevators from me. Pretty. Athletic. Hyper. Her life was rather melodramatic. Avoiding her phone calls and door knocks so as not to get sucked into the drama. I wonder where she is now.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 89/365 ] ..... Ute M.

She and I became pen pals in the 3rd grade, and have been friends ever since. We finally met in person in 1991 when I studied overseas. From little girls to moms, we’ve written about it all to each other.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 88/365 ] ..... Lauren G.

A neighborhood girl. She always seemed so much older and more experienced. She was Jewish, and being a naïve Catholic girl I wondered what that meant. Every summer she went away to summer camp. Seemed like a movie to me.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 87/365 ] ..... Mrs. Sawin

One of my high school gym teachers. She was just a tad old and cranky. Golf lessons, practicing putting swings. Dayle swung too hard and cracked Mrs. Sawin in the shin. It was pretty funny. Although admittedly a bit harsh.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

Happy Mother's Day

To all you moms… who get high from the smell of Johnson’s baby wash. Who can’t get enough of little piggies. Who make up silly songs for your babies, and proudly sing them off key to calm them down. Who have changed a gazillion poopy diapers. Who can nurse, pump, and clean everything within 30 minutes at 3am. Who worry about whether you can feed your little munchkin peanuts, peanut butter or any other kind of nut and if not, when? Who can’t imagine loving another living soul as much as you do this child, yet when the next one comes along you know your heart just got bigger. Who swore you’d never feed your child hot dogs, but now quickly zaps a dog in the microwave like a pro. Who can give your toddler “the look” and he knows to go to the naughty spot. Who religiously slathers your child with SPF50 every day in the summer. Who schedules play dates just so you can get a break. Who rocks your little person back to sleep after a bad dream. Who kisses every boo boo. And will gladly kiss a thousand more boo boos. Because that’s what moms do. Moms rock.

I’d write more about potty training, soccer, car pools, and fractions because I know it’s all important stuff. I just don’t know it yet myself. But you rock too, you fraction solving mom. We all rock!

And thank YOU mom, for all those years of PB&J, carpools, and late nights with bad dreams. I’m sure I’ll call you soon with another boo boo I need kissed. Love ya.

[ 86/365 ] ..... Patti, RN

My allergy nurse. I tolerate her sticking my arms every week in the name of health. Ouch! Super nice and always willing to lend an ear. She loves it when I bring Sean, and gives him a sucker each time.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 85/365 ] ..... Hannah K.

Hannah Banana. My super cute niece. Born the day we found out we were pregnant with Sean. What an amazing day! She has her mommy’s looks, but her daddy’s personality. I hope she and Sean will always be good friends.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 84/365 ] ..... Jenny W.

College friends. Roommates. Parties. Bar crawling on Kirkwood. Drinking blue drinks & dancing at Hooligans. Listening to acoustic at Peanut Barrel. Dressing up as Ernie & Bert for Halloween Senior Year, and no one knowing who we were. Fun times!
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 83/365 ] ..... Laura E.

A high school friend. What I remember most is what an awesome catcher she was on the softball team. An awesome arm. Pinpoint accuracy. We had a few picture perfect take outs at third base when runners tried to steal.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 82/365 ] ..... Sue H.

Super mom, super friend. I so clearly remember when we first met on retreat. She was pregnant and felt her baby move for the first time. We had both experienced pregnancy loss and were brought together to strengthen our faith.

____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]


Wow! How did I miss all of these days? I have been working ahead and scheduling my posts to publish each day. And somehow I fell behind. Sorry!!

Building a Play Set

Jeff accepted a job last week. Yippee! It's not exactly what he was hoping for, but it's a job nonetheless. We'll keep praying to understand whether this is the right place for him.

And what do we do when the promise of steady income is made? We buy a play set!! Sean is pretty darn excited. Hopefully Daddy will finish it before he has to start work on Monday. Otherwise I'll get really tired of hearing Sean ask, "build slide?" over and over and over again. Here are some pictures from the first day building. Uncle Mikey came over to help, and even Sean couldn't resist the lure of real tools!

[ 81/365 ] ..... Mrs. Goble

Sixth grade teacher. I was really thrilled to be in her class rather than the crazy woman across the hall. She drove a sports car. Coached our winning volleyball team. I remember when she got married and seemed so old.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 80/365 ] ..... Michelle S.

One of the nicest, hardest working, smartest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. She and I were colleagues, and we complemented each other nicely. I never understood why she was let go, and fear there was sabotage.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 79/365 ] ..... Corey G.

My nephew! The first baby in a long time for our family. And oh so cute. Now he’s a tween with rock star hair and sparkling blue eyes. I love him for lots of reasons. But mostly because he’s sweet.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]