My year in review.
As I was driving to my Mom's the weekend after Christmas I had much time to reflect on the last year. Bari was happily snoozing in the passenger seat and the kids were with family. I actually tried to do a month by month assessment of the year, but since I can't remember each month, that became a fail. So, here goes (the best of my ability to remember anyway).
March - see how time flies? I'm sure something happened in Jan and Feb besides Joey and Madeline's birthdays. Anyway, along came March 5, 2009 and little William Drake Colonel my 1st grandbaby was born. What a cutie. Nothing else of importance happened in March including my 49 -FOURTY-NINETH Birthday! Let's just not talk about that.
May - I left my job of 6 years and went to work for a sports memobilia store. Since that time I have framed baseball bases, seatbacks, LOTS of different signed photographs, a sign from the dugout from the old Reds Stadium, and a tile from a roof from Germany. I can't even remember all the things I've done. I've met Pete Rose and George Foster, Kyle Cook (starting Center for the Bengals). I really like local sports, thank heaven's.
In May we also celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and spent a weekend at Murphin Ridge Inn. Beautiful. I want to go back. We remenise often.
June-July-August- Summer- who can remember?
September- Bari left his job at a studio where he had been working for 13 years to devote full time to our photography business. It was a BIG jump. We are keeping busy (kinda) and paying our bills (mostly). But it is scary. I'm still very confident that this was the right move for us, but even though he has been photographing weddings for over 17 years, it is a LOT of hard work.
In late August-early Sept, my brother and family came to visit. It was really fun to have them around for the weekend. I miss having family close by.
November- Thanksgiving in Savannah, Ga. It was so much fun. The city is beautiful. The trees are incredible. We had a great time with Bari's family. They are always so much fun. I've never eaten Thanksgiving Dinner outside on a patio before. We would really like to go back and visit.
December- My first Redsfest with the company I work for. I mention this because it might help explain just how busy my job is. This is a 2 day Reds Baseball party held at the Convention Center each year. We stock and man a HUGE booth at the convention center. There are baseball signings, bands playing, old and new players there. It is a family event. Next year I want Bari to bring Sam and Madeline.
January 2-3, 2010. Bari and I decide to take the BIG step and pay the BIG bucks to have a booth at the most prestigious bridal show in the city. So last weekend we were at Wendy's Bridal Show in the Grand Ballroom at the Convention Center. OK, so starting Friday night (the night before-) we went to Bari's sister's house because his dad and step mom were visiting from Chattanooga. We had so much to do to get ready, but went over anyway and had dinner. Sam and Madeline went to his mom's afterward to spend the night. We came here and organized everything we would need for the booth. We had already done 2 small bridal shows in the summer, so everything was there, we just needed to double check, and put it in one place for easy packing the next morning. Rise and shine early- we were at the venue at 7:30 in the morning. The show would open at 10. We thought it went well even though there were 25+ photographers there. That evening were were exhausted, and all we wanted to do was go home and sleep. Our feet hurt, we were hungry, and emotionally exhausted from being 'up' and happy to every one of those brides. WELLLLLL...... Bari's dear mom decided to have a dinner for everyone that evening. It was really nice, although we didn't feel any too nice. Headed home around 9- Madeline was starting to complain about her stomach. We recently found out she is lactose intolerant. So I thought it was that. Fine. The next day was Sunday, we made sure the kids knew they were all going to church together, we would still be at the show. . . . . . . . . .Midnight I get up to find Bari Ray terribly sick. He said he had texted Brittany who had been at dinner too, and she was also sick. Yea, I was trying VERY hard to NOT be sick. Tums, Peppermint, anything . . . . . . . .yep, 2am I was sick as a dog (worse than a dog). I knew Bari would get it too. We still had the next day at the EXPENSIVE wedding show to go to - and how could we not be there? What kind of reputation would we have as photographers if we missed it? So, I started making a plan, I would go early and set up the few things we had taken down the night before. Bari could come around 1 or 2 when we were supposed to be really busy. Maybe I could call my friend Gail to help me. Then I remembered --oh oh--the booth next to us was a restaurant, Lebanese and Greek foods. Then smell the day before was incredible, but with a very sick stomach, oh oh.
So, I did get up (somehow) and got myself to the show. Bari followed a little later, and we managed to make our way throught it. We made it somehow, even with the smell of roasted lamb, and the lack of bathrooms close by (it was in the ballroom). Really, it was the hardest thing we have ever had to do together.
Nope, the story doesn't end there. When we got home we now found Madeline sick, the Christmas tree knocked over, and I remembered that I hadn't made it to the grocery to get anything for the kids lunches. With that, I went in my room to rest - Just A Little While - at about 6ish I layed down, at 8:50 I woke up! ! !
Walked out of my room to find Madeline still sick , in her bed, she had called a friend of mine for advise because I was sick and sleeping - LOVE YOU LISA-. So, we think all is winding down, I sleep most of the night in my own bed. Get up in the morning, and SAMMY'S sick. (All over the Bathroom- of course).
Well, Bari is the At Home Dad now, so I cleaned myself up and went to work like any good wife.
And this is only the 4th day of the year- - - -
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Should I stay, or should I go?
For some reason, I've been considering writing a final blog.
It seems to me that I either complain (and whine) or brag about what is going on with my family. I know that a couple of you write blogs as journal entries. This concept puts even greater pressure on me to write more often, and include EVERYthing that is going on. All I need right now is more guilt about what I am not doing.
Maybe it is just the time of year. Christmas (actually- from Thanksgiving to Christmas) it the most stressful time of my year. Work is more stressful and more physically demanding. And I have 2 jobs. One I work at 5 days a week, the other I work in the evenings and some weekends. The kids have even more activities to go to, and even the 'normal' activities seem to become more challenging. Putting up a tree and decorations is hard to schedule, let alone, making cookies or sending cards. Even getting all the kids together for a gift exchange and dinner has been a scheduling nightmare with family, grandparents, out-of-town parents thrown into the mix.
I sat in church with Bari on Sunday, and said "I think I need an attitude adjustment". To my surprise, he agreed.
Then 2 things caught my attention during the talks. First, Emily said something about her testimony being very simple for a long time. Well, maybe 'simple' isn't the right word- but something on the line of - not being complicated. Wow- i was right there- I don't have a big - giant - complicated testimony. And I have worried about that. I wondered if I wasn't pushing myself enough, not stretching enough, not challenging myself to learn more. - Ok. more guilt. When is all this going to happen? Where am I going to find time to study more? Oops- more guilt.
Then, Jamie gave her talk. She said that all we can do is all we can do, and that is enough. Wow again, I really needed that. Right now, I am so overwhelmed that I can't even allow myself the thought of feeling guilty.
On the way home from church, I was alone in the car and just started thinking over the whole day. I came to the conclusion that there are times when I can't do one more thing. Not one. This seems to be one of those times. I could write a list of all the responsibilities that I have, that I don't act on. This makes me feel like a horrible person , that I am letting down so many people, I feel like a hypocrite.
Yea, maybe I need to stop blogging for a while.
See? Whine or brag. Either way is isn't pretty.
Ok- in a couple of days I'll write another blog, and it will be about my blessings.
It seems to me that I either complain (and whine) or brag about what is going on with my family. I know that a couple of you write blogs as journal entries. This concept puts even greater pressure on me to write more often, and include EVERYthing that is going on. All I need right now is more guilt about what I am not doing.
Maybe it is just the time of year. Christmas (actually- from Thanksgiving to Christmas) it the most stressful time of my year. Work is more stressful and more physically demanding. And I have 2 jobs. One I work at 5 days a week, the other I work in the evenings and some weekends. The kids have even more activities to go to, and even the 'normal' activities seem to become more challenging. Putting up a tree and decorations is hard to schedule, let alone, making cookies or sending cards. Even getting all the kids together for a gift exchange and dinner has been a scheduling nightmare with family, grandparents, out-of-town parents thrown into the mix.
I sat in church with Bari on Sunday, and said "I think I need an attitude adjustment". To my surprise, he agreed.
Then 2 things caught my attention during the talks. First, Emily said something about her testimony being very simple for a long time. Well, maybe 'simple' isn't the right word- but something on the line of - not being complicated. Wow- i was right there- I don't have a big - giant - complicated testimony. And I have worried about that. I wondered if I wasn't pushing myself enough, not stretching enough, not challenging myself to learn more. - Ok. more guilt. When is all this going to happen? Where am I going to find time to study more? Oops- more guilt.
Then, Jamie gave her talk. She said that all we can do is all we can do, and that is enough. Wow again, I really needed that. Right now, I am so overwhelmed that I can't even allow myself the thought of feeling guilty.
On the way home from church, I was alone in the car and just started thinking over the whole day. I came to the conclusion that there are times when I can't do one more thing. Not one. This seems to be one of those times. I could write a list of all the responsibilities that I have, that I don't act on. This makes me feel like a horrible person , that I am letting down so many people, I feel like a hypocrite.
Yea, maybe I need to stop blogging for a while.
See? Whine or brag. Either way is isn't pretty.
Ok- in a couple of days I'll write another blog, and it will be about my blessings.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Can you hear it?
I went to visit my Mom a couple weekends ago. It always makes me a bit sentimental when I visit.
This time I started thinking about all the little sounds that I love. For instance. When I was in one part of Mom's house, I could hear her and Sam and Madeline in the kitchen. I don't know what was said, all I could hear was the happy sounding voices of my children and my mom giggling. How cute is that?
Later in the day we went to a Hallowe'en Parade. It is held right before Trick or Treat- so everyone - EVERYONE was dressed up (except us). It is a really small town of about 8000 people- but the parade had everything. Firetrucks, floats, Fair queens (even a dam queen), marching bands, and groups of children all dressed up for a costume contest. Amazing.
I always forget how much I love the sound of a Marching Band. It is so Americana- it can almost bring tears to my eyes. In the summer, I can hear our local High School band practicing. It is so quaint.
I love the sound of a train off in the distance. It is a lonely echo.
I love the sound of leaves being raked, and snow shoveled in the winter. I hate that the sound of snowplows have replaced the scrape of blade against sidewalk.
I love the sound of a highway. Weird, I know. But from my house, I can hear Cross County Highway- something about all the movement and tire noise satisfies me. I know all is well in the world- buses, trucks, cars all all traveling, all is well.
I like the sound of a campfire. The crackle of the twigs and popping of the dry tender.
One of the most comforting sounds to me when I was young was when my dad could tap his pipe on the side of his glass ashtray. I would be upstairs in bed- and hear that sound. I knew everything would be ok as long as daddy was down stairs.
My favorite hymn is 'God be with you till we meet again' sung by the Tab.
I love the sounds of birds in the morning. In the early spring when they start to be more active- I love that. There were Mourning Doves in the eves of the house across the street from my parents. Every morning (and evening?)- they would sing their lonely song. No other bird sounds quite like that.
There is a tin roof over the porch at my mom's house. It is right outside the bedroom windows. The house didn't (and still doesn't) have air conditioning, so the windows were left open pretty much all summer long. On a rainy day, the tin roof would sing.
That reminds me how much I enjoy the sound of thunder. The low rumble of building storms. We used to sit on the porch and watch the rain.
When I walk down the hallways at church while classes are in session, I love the different sounds coming from the rooms, specially when there is singing. Men singing in Priesthood- low, meaningful hymns, then on to Primary with the enthusiastic young voices. Last week in Sacrament Meeting we had the opportunity to sit in front of a young girl and her family. She sang every hymn, her sweet voice following along with the words (sometimes a teeny bit late-).
Speaking of last Sunday. The little brother in the family behind us - hummed a little tune while Sacrament was passed. It was sweet, it didn't bother any of us. Then, as time went on, the humming turned in to a little song. Hmmm - Hmmm- Poooo - Poooo ---- Pooooo ---py.
Poooopy - poopy in the pooootty- poopy in the potty. Yep, a little hard to keep reverent- but really cute.
Told you I was a little sentimental.
This time I started thinking about all the little sounds that I love. For instance. When I was in one part of Mom's house, I could hear her and Sam and Madeline in the kitchen. I don't know what was said, all I could hear was the happy sounding voices of my children and my mom giggling. How cute is that?
Later in the day we went to a Hallowe'en Parade. It is held right before Trick or Treat- so everyone - EVERYONE was dressed up (except us). It is a really small town of about 8000 people- but the parade had everything. Firetrucks, floats, Fair queens (even a dam queen), marching bands, and groups of children all dressed up for a costume contest. Amazing.
I always forget how much I love the sound of a Marching Band. It is so Americana- it can almost bring tears to my eyes. In the summer, I can hear our local High School band practicing. It is so quaint.
I love the sound of a train off in the distance. It is a lonely echo.
I love the sound of leaves being raked, and snow shoveled in the winter. I hate that the sound of snowplows have replaced the scrape of blade against sidewalk.
I love the sound of a highway. Weird, I know. But from my house, I can hear Cross County Highway- something about all the movement and tire noise satisfies me. I know all is well in the world- buses, trucks, cars all all traveling, all is well.
I like the sound of a campfire. The crackle of the twigs and popping of the dry tender.
One of the most comforting sounds to me when I was young was when my dad could tap his pipe on the side of his glass ashtray. I would be upstairs in bed- and hear that sound. I knew everything would be ok as long as daddy was down stairs.
My favorite hymn is 'God be with you till we meet again' sung by the Tab.
I love the sounds of birds in the morning. In the early spring when they start to be more active- I love that. There were Mourning Doves in the eves of the house across the street from my parents. Every morning (and evening?)- they would sing their lonely song. No other bird sounds quite like that.
There is a tin roof over the porch at my mom's house. It is right outside the bedroom windows. The house didn't (and still doesn't) have air conditioning, so the windows were left open pretty much all summer long. On a rainy day, the tin roof would sing.
That reminds me how much I enjoy the sound of thunder. The low rumble of building storms. We used to sit on the porch and watch the rain.
When I walk down the hallways at church while classes are in session, I love the different sounds coming from the rooms, specially when there is singing. Men singing in Priesthood- low, meaningful hymns, then on to Primary with the enthusiastic young voices. Last week in Sacrament Meeting we had the opportunity to sit in front of a young girl and her family. She sang every hymn, her sweet voice following along with the words (sometimes a teeny bit late-).
Speaking of last Sunday. The little brother in the family behind us - hummed a little tune while Sacrament was passed. It was sweet, it didn't bother any of us. Then, as time went on, the humming turned in to a little song. Hmmm - Hmmm- Poooo - Poooo ---- Pooooo ---py.
Poooopy - poopy in the pooootty- poopy in the potty. Yep, a little hard to keep reverent- but really cute.
Told you I was a little sentimental.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Once again - - -
Once again I've missed a whole month of blogging. And as I've checked (and checked and rechecked) other blogs - some of you have missed a month of blogging too. That's ok- I guess I need to learn how to Facebook.
So this was a neat summer. My brother and his wife and 2 teenage sons visited for a couple of days at the end of the summer. We don't get to see each other nearly enough, so it was quite a treat. They met us at a baseball game (and the Reds actually won that night!), and there were fireworks too, so that was fun. We also spent quite a bit of time at the American Sign Museum at the Essex art complex. It was really neat to see it with my brother. I had been there at least once before with Bari. My dad was a sign painter by trade. I remember his shop, and how he would letter the trucks seemingly with out much more than a steady hand. As we walked through the museum with the curator, I learned so much about my dad. Randy (being older- and the only boy) had a different relationship with Dad than I did. I'm sure I just didn't pay much attention to what was going on most of the time. Anyway, Randy went with Dad to paint the big billboards along the highway. I had forgotten that. He talked about what it was like to work with dad, and be that high up on scaffolding. Something I really didn't remember (I don't think I ever knew this)- Randy told me that Dad's dream was to become a Mural Painter. He even had some schooling set up in Berea, Ky when they lived in Richmond (Ky). But because of some family challenges, they had to leave Ky and move back to Ohio. That makes me a little sad, but even more proud of dad at the same time. I can't imagine giving up on a dream when it is so close- and to do it because - because - I don't really know why, except he had to support the family, and my mom, and that constituted moving back. In a side note, Randy said that Dad's talent for mural work made him a kind of specialist in the billboard field, because he could accurately paint a scene on one of those HUGE signs, and have it make sense to the viewer who was driving down the highway a 1/2 mile away. I miss my Dad.
Sam and I took a quick trip to my Mom's just before school started. We sat and talked most of the time. It was so quiet, and the weather so perfect, I actually started and finished a book while sitting on her front porch. Man, I really need a patio or something.
I went back (to the Clyde/Fremont/Sandusky area) with Bari in September and set up displays at another wedding show. We visited Mom a couple more times that weekend. She seems well. Bari and went up to Marblehead to the lighthouse and had a family member (my cousin's youngest daughter) model on the rocks for us. It was really fun to do that kind of shoot. Oh, she was in a wedding dress, sunglasses, rocks with waves crashing- really neat stuff.
Back in July and August we were sending Madeline to a different dance studio to get their opinion of her strength as a dancer. It was kind of cool, and stressful at the same time because they liked her so much, and she did so well, that she made their Competition team, too. So there was a week or so when she was on 2 teams for 2 studios. In the end, we decided to stay at the same studio where she has been for the last 5 years. They have added some (needed) classes in tumbling (for Hip Hop) and stretch (for Lyrical and Ballet). I just wasn't sure if we could commit to the new studio with the changes in Bari's job and the distance (it was near Ward's Corner). Madeline was good with either place. Thank heavens.
So Bari has been at home working for about a month now. He seems much more relaxed in lots of ways. And stressed in the same ways (money). He has worked diligently with the website, the promotions and the brides. The bonuses are the dinners every night, Madeline taken to dance, and Sam to Trombone lessons. It is less stressful for me. I think he is finding that there still aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. It seems like a really long time when you are away from home, at a job- but the time flies here- photo production, telephone calls, emails, dinner, Kroger, laundry and cat box. Yep, less stressful.
Honestly, I still am convinced that this is a really good move for Bari. He really has so much more talent that he knows. I just need to find a way to let the rest of Cincinnati know too.
I think that's all for now. My job is still really good. It is very physical, so I get tired (I'm not a spring chicken any more ! ! ). But I do like my boss, and the other women I work with. The framing is interesting most of the time. Every once in a while, there are hard - very boring - projects. Right now I have 73+ movie posters to frame before next Friday. They are 40inches tall and about 27inches wide, and get 4 1/2 inch wide moulding (which I have to cut and join). Along with dry mounting, and glass. Yes, it is every bit as physical as it sounds. Not one of my fun jobs- but then again they all can't be fun. Speaking of fun (or not) I just found out that I get to work a booth at the Golf Show (yea!)- the Home and Garden Show (YEA!) and Redsfest (WHOOT! ! ).
On a final note-- St X beat ELDER! ! ! ! (Bari Ray is on the Spirit team- - - -).
Miss you-all- Don't forget to blog once in a while.
So this was a neat summer. My brother and his wife and 2 teenage sons visited for a couple of days at the end of the summer. We don't get to see each other nearly enough, so it was quite a treat. They met us at a baseball game (and the Reds actually won that night!), and there were fireworks too, so that was fun. We also spent quite a bit of time at the American Sign Museum at the Essex art complex. It was really neat to see it with my brother. I had been there at least once before with Bari. My dad was a sign painter by trade. I remember his shop, and how he would letter the trucks seemingly with out much more than a steady hand. As we walked through the museum with the curator, I learned so much about my dad. Randy (being older- and the only boy) had a different relationship with Dad than I did. I'm sure I just didn't pay much attention to what was going on most of the time. Anyway, Randy went with Dad to paint the big billboards along the highway. I had forgotten that. He talked about what it was like to work with dad, and be that high up on scaffolding. Something I really didn't remember (I don't think I ever knew this)- Randy told me that Dad's dream was to become a Mural Painter. He even had some schooling set up in Berea, Ky when they lived in Richmond (Ky). But because of some family challenges, they had to leave Ky and move back to Ohio. That makes me a little sad, but even more proud of dad at the same time. I can't imagine giving up on a dream when it is so close- and to do it because - because - I don't really know why, except he had to support the family, and my mom, and that constituted moving back. In a side note, Randy said that Dad's talent for mural work made him a kind of specialist in the billboard field, because he could accurately paint a scene on one of those HUGE signs, and have it make sense to the viewer who was driving down the highway a 1/2 mile away. I miss my Dad.
Sam and I took a quick trip to my Mom's just before school started. We sat and talked most of the time. It was so quiet, and the weather so perfect, I actually started and finished a book while sitting on her front porch. Man, I really need a patio or something.
I went back (to the Clyde/Fremont/Sandusky area) with Bari in September and set up displays at another wedding show. We visited Mom a couple more times that weekend. She seems well. Bari and went up to Marblehead to the lighthouse and had a family member (my cousin's youngest daughter) model on the rocks for us. It was really fun to do that kind of shoot. Oh, she was in a wedding dress, sunglasses, rocks with waves crashing- really neat stuff.
Back in July and August we were sending Madeline to a different dance studio to get their opinion of her strength as a dancer. It was kind of cool, and stressful at the same time because they liked her so much, and she did so well, that she made their Competition team, too. So there was a week or so when she was on 2 teams for 2 studios. In the end, we decided to stay at the same studio where she has been for the last 5 years. They have added some (needed) classes in tumbling (for Hip Hop) and stretch (for Lyrical and Ballet). I just wasn't sure if we could commit to the new studio with the changes in Bari's job and the distance (it was near Ward's Corner). Madeline was good with either place. Thank heavens.
So Bari has been at home working for about a month now. He seems much more relaxed in lots of ways. And stressed in the same ways (money). He has worked diligently with the website, the promotions and the brides. The bonuses are the dinners every night, Madeline taken to dance, and Sam to Trombone lessons. It is less stressful for me. I think he is finding that there still aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. It seems like a really long time when you are away from home, at a job- but the time flies here- photo production, telephone calls, emails, dinner, Kroger, laundry and cat box. Yep, less stressful.
Honestly, I still am convinced that this is a really good move for Bari. He really has so much more talent that he knows. I just need to find a way to let the rest of Cincinnati know too.
I think that's all for now. My job is still really good. It is very physical, so I get tired (I'm not a spring chicken any more ! ! ). But I do like my boss, and the other women I work with. The framing is interesting most of the time. Every once in a while, there are hard - very boring - projects. Right now I have 73+ movie posters to frame before next Friday. They are 40inches tall and about 27inches wide, and get 4 1/2 inch wide moulding (which I have to cut and join). Along with dry mounting, and glass. Yes, it is every bit as physical as it sounds. Not one of my fun jobs- but then again they all can't be fun. Speaking of fun (or not) I just found out that I get to work a booth at the Golf Show (yea!)- the Home and Garden Show (YEA!) and Redsfest (WHOOT! ! ).
On a final note-- St X beat ELDER! ! ! ! (Bari Ray is on the Spirit team- - - -).
Miss you-all- Don't forget to blog once in a while.
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