Here is the story of the peacocks.
I apologize for the bad photos but you get the idea and I wasn't sure how my flash would affect the birds, it didn't.
One of the nice gentlemen that worked at the monastery told us after dinner on Saturday night that around sunset the peacocks put on a show.
Every night around sundown all the peacocks would come over to this wall, one by one they hopped up to this wall. Then he said it was like a pecking order each one would fly up into the huge tree in the meditation garden.

At first all of us women waited but as it got darker and the birds were just walking around most of the ladies gave up and went back to our rooms.
I think the peacocks were waiting for us to thin because shortly after they began to fly up to the wall and then fly up into the tree.
I had know idea peacocks did this.
All of a sudden you would hear this whoop, whoop like a helicopter blade and then the bird was on the tree, or you would hear them flying up to higher branches.

It was just so cool and not something everybody gets to see.
The next morning I went on another walk about because I had a few pictures that I really wanted before we left for the day.
As I was nearing the meditation garden I looked up and there were still a couple of peacocks and peahens in the tree!
How cool!
I'm hoping that sometime this fall, when it gets a little bit cooler to take the kids and Rob to explore.

I remember years ago, before kids, Rob and I would go on road trips and we would pass this place, a place I only knew from the 70ft cross you could see for miles. To know that you are free to explore and appreciate their beauty is awesome.
*Carrie*

 A week ago I had the pleasure of helping facilitate a women's retreat called Learning to Love the Master. The premise of the retreat is to reflect and journal your God story. Where has God been, from your earliest memories. It is an amazing journey.
At this particular retreat we tried out a new facility, The Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, AZ.
What a beautiful location. Upon arrival we were surprised to see peacocks roaming the grounds.
The following morning my friend Annette and I set off to explore. We found 3 ponds with bullfrogs and dragonflies galore, ant hills everywhere, and wonderful nooks, crannies, gardens and trails. We lost count of how many peacocks and peahens are roaming around but believe me you hear them.
It was such a peaceful morning and Annette and I walked and talked for over an hour. Our favorite part of course was photographing all the peacocks. I was floored with how many displayed their feathers. We even had one that we could hand feed and he let us touch his feathers! So soft, so awesome.

I have always loved peacocks, they are right up their with flamingos so this was just a beautiful display of color.
After a day of reflection, journaling and sharing all of us ladies went on a little Saturday evening.
I'll leave those photos for another post because I have some cool peacock info.
If you are looking for quiet, peace, solitude, good food and gorgeous views, this is your place. I'm sure our church will be having more retreats here.
*Carrie*

Four years ago today I was laying on the couch watching Cars with the family when my water broke. We had no idea whether you were a boy or girl and now that the time had come, I was excited to find out.
As crazy as it may sound, I giggled as I was prepped for my c-section, once I was numb anyway. I felt the tugs and heard the doctor say, "it's a girl!"
Oh what a girl you are.
For your 4th birthday you received 9 new dresses. You prefer dresses to pretty much anything else. You can be the pickiest, most stubborn child.

Your favorites right now are My little Pony, which we got you 5 of the 6 for your birthday, we've gone back twice to get the 6th but the store is out. Lets see, Barbie movies, any of them, Disney Princesses, nightgowns, jewelry and tiaras.

Chelsea has now graduated out of the church nursery and into junior church with her brother and sister, God help them all. LOL
The Thursday before her birthday party Chelsea got a horrible case of the flu and I wondered if we should cancel her party. By Saturday her fever was gone and we had a blast with the family. That night though,

Wyatt and I got the flu. Wyatt rebounded better than I have but I think I'm finally feeling better. I just pray no one else in the family gets it. I would feel horrible.

Chelsea, you don't like to eat dinner at dinner time or you don't like what I make, you like pizza crust but not the pizza. We are trying to break your habit of BURPING every time you drink anything. You love Cheetos and are crazy for dum dum suckers. You also like bananas, cheese sticks, and grapes.
I love to listen to Chelsea sing in the car, she seems to have Adele nailed in the chorus of Rumor has it and Katy Perry in Firework.
This will be our last year hanging out at home together while the big kids are at school and I pray that we live up every moment. Of course life is never dull with Chels around. Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you
*Carrie*

For the last couple weeks I have been working on the second installment of the Artist's Way books called Walking in the World.
Oh my goodness how this book has spoken to me.
Do you know when people tell you that you need to hear or do something X amount of times until you get it? This has been my X. I've completed my tasks for this week and I think my favorite has been my letter to my inner artist. Before I re-write what I wrote (type that 5 times fast) I also want to mention my second favorite task which was to write 20 things that you wish for. That task was an eye opener because I think it truly showed who Carrie really is. As a person I feel that I'm greedy, materialistic, and selfish most of the time but give me 20 things to wish for, and dang it! I guess wishes are selfish! I found that most of what I was wishing for leaned more towards making me a better person.
Here is a few things that I wished for: a large studio, to travel with my family, more generous, an interior designer for my home, a cleaner house, to be more brave, to take classes in any subject that interests me, to have original ideas, etc..

My last task was to write a letter to my inner artist. I don't plan on rewording everything so that it flows better for you, this is just my thought process as I wrote the letter.
To my inner artist,
I have down played  my creative nature for so long, I still don't know what it would look like to truly set free. My dream from many years ago has been this, to have a home in Oregon, mostly Astoria, with a beautiful view of God's world around me. A big studio with lots of light to just create. I wanted to have family picnics in the vibrant green grass and go sailing on a calm lake or tossed around on the  ocean. Yes, I have spent many years holding back and not even trying because I thought that I'm not enough. Honestly that was fear and fear is mostly in our heads, it doesn't materialize. I want people to know my dreams, because I feel we are all connected and who knows, maybe that one person is part of my path that will lead me closer to my dream. I have always had a "try something once" attitude and "life is an adventure". Why didn't I apply that to my creative life sooner? I need to stop worrying about the cost of one piece of paper and try. If I fail, what happens? I at least know how not to do it. Experiment, let go. Experiment with color, with angles. Put your visions on paper and revisit them often. Admire those around you for their strengths and avoid looking down on people. We are all on a journey, for this you know too well. Some prosper, some give up, some deny, and some at least try. Obviously right now you are trying many creative avenues. I think that this is a good thing, many things in life are intertwined, who knows where it can/will lead you. Are you open? Are you willing? Than enjoy the ride.

Last Saturday I took the kids up to Walgreen's thinking that they could get a pack of go-gos and Chelsea a my little pony toy. We walked out with a pack of go-gos for Kelly, a Lego man for Wyatt and this tiara combo set. This tiara set has been the best investment of $4.00 that I've spent in a while. Chelsea has worn it every single day since. Seriously it doesn't come off. At bedtime its on her shelf and as soon as she awakens its on her head and she comes to us to help put on her necklace.  We've gone to church, grocery stores, Lowe's, she is a princess and everyone thinks its the cutest thing. If they only knew what a terror she is.

Our front yard is in bloom and my favorites have to be these day lilies that originated from Rob's grandmas yard in Mississippi. We've had them for about 10 years and they continue to bloom every summer. In the last day or so my hibiscus are blooming again, the jasmine is flowering and my rose bush is unfurling it's pretty petals.
I love seeing all the color.
On Monday we went to Lowe's to pick up a couple of things and we added some dianthus, a red mandavilla and a honeysuckle bush. 

I really wish we had the money to pay someone to come work on our yard. I have this vision in my head of all the ideas that Rob and I talked about and I just want to see it come to fruition. Yes, I know that it will mean more if we do the work ourselves, but I'm just so excited to be able to sit under the arbor, watch the birds eat from one feeder and drink from the bird bath. We have some beautiful hummingbirds and to know that we bought some of our plants to cater to them and the butterflies just fills my soul. To be able to watch the vines climb the trellis that will one day provide shade to sit under. To see all the colorful artwork that the kids and I are making.
In two years, wow, that long?! I can't wait to show off how are garden is growing. The oasis that we envision. Rob would tell you that he is excited about growing a bigger garden next year. So far, our crop hasn't yielded any veggies, but to see them grow and spread out, watch the blossoms pop open on the squash plants has made him very excited.
Every morning and/or evening we make our rounds and discuss how some of the plants are doing. We make adjustments on water and shade and then our talks circle back to a few of the plants and where they might go in the back yard.
Maybe I'll try to sketch what the yard will look like. Of course it could take awhile because we keep changing our mind on where everything is going to go.
Last Saturday before going to Walgreen's the kids and I tried to make the paint pots that were buzzing around Pinterest. rainbow pot tutorial I let the kids pick their own colors obviously. I will try this again because these pots sure didn't turn out like I thought they would. I probably didn't use enough paint, so I plan on trying again, I just need to go buy more paint.
*Carrie*

 Summer vacation is in full swing around our house. Late mornings in our jammies, video games, reading. Yep, pretty much lazy days.
Its driving me crazy.
I was journaling last night about how my schedule is completely off and except for house cleaning, I'm not getting much done.
I even went so far as to make a creativity schedule and I haven't accomplished one thing.
And yes, I'm beating myself up about it.
Yesterday I took the kids to Bookmans, a local used book store, an awesome place.
Kelly was looking to start the Dork Diaries series, Wyatt wanted Spy kids and Chelsea wanted pretty much everything. I headed over to the self help to

look for more books on creativity, motivation and self esteem.
I could have sworn that my reading list was on my phone but alas, it was not and I could not remember what I was trying to find.
So I browsed. I ended up grabbing the third book for the Artist's Way and a book called 100 ways to motivate.
I love the feel of a book in my hands and though I would love a tablet I don't think I could ever stop buying books.
There is just something about them.
I glanced through the books again last night and already I'm getting twitchy to get out of this mini funk.
I keep beating myself up about what isn't getting done, that I'm not realizing that the kids are having fun and not saying their bored. I have projects that I want to do with them but I haven't because I think I've been too lazy. Next thing I know it will be 2 days before school starts. Your probably saying, "well then do them". And I say, "I'm going to". If its bothering me this much then I'm gonna do something about it.
Moving on...
OK, last week I saw a glimpse of this quote on either Ali's blog or Pinterest and it just really spoke to me in that moment and so I grabbed my gypsy and recreated it. I cut it out in vinyl with my Cricut and attached it to the mirror.
Two hours later I realize what I should have put up there; flush the toilet and wash your hands. Yeesh.
*Carrie*

Summer is here and with that I have been cruising the boards looking for fun, easy crafts that I can do with the kiddos. I came along this one on Pinterest and thought that it should be easy enough to do Pony bead sun catchers . I had some pony beads that I bought and used at Scouts so I did a test sample. The beads were different than what the picture showed and I liked the sun catchers she made, so I loaded the kids up and we went to Joann's to buy more pony beads.
I really never thought I would use my original bag of beads and at one time wondered why I was even buying them. Now, I'm going to the store to specifically buy more and in a variety too!
Crafters addiction for sure. I let the kids pick out what style of beads they wanted to use and we came home to start arranging. It really is super simple.
I took my cake pans, and layed down one layer of beads. I popped them into the oven for 15-20 min at 400 degrees. Because I'm melting plastic I opened up the windows and doors, turned on the ceiling fans, because of the fumes. After I felt that the beads had melted enough I took the pan out of the oven and put it on a cooling rack. Once the pan was cool I flipped it over, gave it a couple of taps and this popped out.
The one shown above is Kelly's, she was going for a rainbow look. I haven't gotten a good picture of the others because I need to drill holes so that I can hang them up. One some of the catchers if the bead hadn't melted enough or there was too much spacing it would come out with little gaps, like Kell's did. The kids really enjoyed this and it took a while because I had them make sure all their beads faced in the same direction. I think the beads would melt just fine if they were just layed out willy-nilly, I'm sure we will make a few more before the summer is over so I'll be able to test this theory :)
Oh and yes the photo is sideways, I completely forgot to rotate it
*Carrie*

Last night Rob and I finished filling out the paperwork and this morning I found the kids' birth certificates.
Yep, we're registering at a new school.
It has been a decision long coming. While we have loved the teachers at TAG, there is too much being offered in our local school district.
This coming year Wyatt will learn the recorder and Kelly the guitar. There is an art program, scheduled PE, chorus, track. All the things that Rob and I grew up having that wasn't available at TAG.
Heck, I'm excited about having a cafeteria. The biggest bonus for me is that my kids can walk to school.
I've been worried about Kelly switching schools with only one year till middle school and I realized the other day that I shouldn't be. Kelly is very accepting of people and even though she can be shy she is well liked by her classmates. So making new friends should be good, especially since her friend Madison will be there too.
Wyatt, he's ready for an adventure. He is so easy going and makes friends easily. I talked to Wyatt just a bit ago and he has no worries and is excited about the new school.
We just got back from dropping off the the registration forms and doing a quick walk through the school. Talk about excited. I know this is norm for pretty much everybody but too see them excited about the library and cafeteria/mpr cracked me up. The class rooms are big, I can't wait to see this place filled with kids.


*Carrie*

So I found this great idea on Pinterest schools out finish line and I kept it in the back of my mind for this years last day of school.
The day before the kids got out I went to our local teacher/parent school connection store and picked up a roll of paper.
The only rolls they had were 4ft by 200ft or I could buy it buy the foot, Since I have more projects in mind I went ahead and splurged on the big roll. The roll cost $23.
On the last day of school I dropped the kids off and raced back home.

I set Chelsea up with a movie and went out front with the scissors, paint, tape and went to town.
I unrolled the paper to a bit wider or is it longer, than the posts and then I cut the paper.
Laying it out on the driveway I just went for it and painted "welcome to summer". I was really worried about the size and spacing of the letters but decided that if I made them too small I could add some decorations to minimize my blunders.
The paint dried really fast, so I had the really hard job of trying to hang this monster without tearing it. A little bit of tape on each top to keep it 

in place while I secured the rest. The whole thing took less than a half hour to do. Love it!
The weatherman was predicting high wind advisories shortly before the kids were due out and I was so nervous that we would come home to a ripped banner but, nope! thank goodness!
So we pull into the driveway and Kelly asks what is that for, pointing at the banner.
I explain that the banner is to welcome the fun of summer and the end of this school year. I told them that they were gonna run through the banner but not until I was set and ready cause momma wants to take pictures.

Rob and I told them to just charge right through the paper
Go!
The paper was a lot tougher than I thought!
The kids crashed through it and it ripped from the sides instead of the middle.
Heck it ripped clean enough that Wyatt asked if we could use it next year!
Instead I let the kids ball it up and put it in the recycle bin.
Who knows, maybe this is another tradition that we will have.
And of course after dinner we went to DQ and had our first/last day of school ice cream. Gotta love that tradition.
*Carrie*

Three weeks ago, can that be correct?, we planted our first veggie garden.
Rob started talking about wanting a veggie garden last year but with the yard torn up and him not wanting to try my idea we put it off. Fast forward to this year and Rob starts making noises again and nothing has changed with the backyard.
So being the loving wifey that I am, I went to Lowe's, bought a big kiddie pool and a bunch of dirt and came home and dropped it in the back yard.

When Rob came home from lunch he saw the pile of bags and the pool and smiled.
I told him that after work, we were going veggie shopping. The kids got in on the act also and helped pick out or find certain veggies.
Included in our garden is; corn, zucchini, squash, yellow, red peppers, two types of tomato's and strawberries.
Now please remember, we've never had a garden like this before, so after planting we have been informed that we don't have enough room!
We are gonna do the best we can but one thing Rob has asked is that I take a picture once a week to see how our garden is growing. I must say after 3 weeks nothing has died so that's a plus right?!
Also if all goes OK next year we can transfer the dirt over to our bigger garden and use the pool for something else. Who knows?
*Carrie*

thank you provo craft for letting me use this picture of the Paisley cartridge.

A little over a week ago I got the bug to go on ebay. Dangerous for me, so dangerous.
In two weeks I have bought 6 cartridges. I'm feeling so inspired, so crafty lately that I'm trying to be proactive about it.
I have been doing my usual and bookmarking things on Pinterest but now I'm ready to get busy.
I don't want to be one of those people that collects items for projects, I want to be one who gets her projects done.
With that in mind, this morning I started a creative to do list. Yes, I know I have done this before, I'm actually staring at my previous list that is taped to the printer.
This one is new and improved, its special...ok, let me think it's special.
I do have one flaw in my special list though... my craft room.This week I will be getting it cleaned up to a semi functional state so that I can begin my creative process.
Oh and if you were wondering what new carts I purchased; Art Deco, Over the Hill, Ribbons and Rosettes, Tablescapes- Spring and Summer, Tags, bags boxes and more 2, and Pretty Pennants. I'm going to be doing some home decorating with the kids this summer. Plus for me it's birthday party season. Chelsea has  asked for me to use the tablescapes cart with lots of hanging, twirly stuff, mixed with party ideas from Pinterest, we're gonna have fun.
I grabbed some magazines on Saturday at J's and M's and the one mag I was the most excited about was the newest issue of Where Women Create. I purchased my first issue last year and it really spoke to me. The colors, the quotes, the brave women whom have stepped out and taken a chance. I love reading about how other women have come to some of the same conclusions that I have and some that have never even crossed my mind. This magazine has spurred my journey on whom I want to be or maybe whom I'm becoming.
Right now my creative list is only 7 items long but there are 7 items on the list that will make a difference around our home. I know once done they will make me happy. :)
I guess I better start another list for all the books I want to read, plus my list for what to do with wine/liquor bottles.
Yep, its shaping up to be a pretty colorful summer. I'm so excited...
Pretty Pennants just came in the mail...yippee!
*Carrie*

Now dang nabbit, I had this cool blog post in mind but then I had trouble finding a picture, grabbed a random one and then Chelsea asked for a snack, now Bella wants to go outside.
My amazing blog post is gone, zip, out of my head.
Now let's see what I come up with.

It was a wonderful weekend. Truly it was. It was a Saturday where Rob didn't have to landscape, so we watered our plants, watched Mathilda with the kids, smoked some ribs, picked up some new magazines and then went to my brothers for dinner with the family.
Mothers Day, I received $$ for mom, she says to buy plants, big cheesy grin, but Rob says I need to save for welding stuff if I want bottle trees. I received a pretty planter and hanging plant from my MIL, and yard spinner from Rob and the kids. Both moms got the same spinner I got but a different color, my MIL gave my mom the same hanging plant that she gave me and my mom gave my MIL a different type of hanging plant. Lots of flowers were exchanged, lol.
After church we took my mother in law to this new U-Like Asian buffet for lunch. She liked it, thank goodness and so did the kids. It was so nice to see them eat and not fuss about whats in front of them. After lunch we came home and chilled for an hour then headed out to get family portraits done.
Did you know we haven't done a formal family portrait since Kelly was 2 months old. Yowsers.
Thanks to my mom who arranged the whole thing. We were in and out in less than an hour. Group shot, individual family shots, grand kids, siblings. The kids did great, so did us adults. Can't wait to update the wall with these new photos.
After the photos we came back to our house to hang out and spend some last minute time together before dad leaves to head back to Michigan.
We snapped some shots of the goodbyes, but I'm not ready to download them just yet. Tomorrow.
Oh, and if that great blog post comes back, I'll update.
*Carrie*

A looong time ago, before our age of children, Rob and I had a pretty garden filled with iris'. The children came along and so did the weeds into the garden. After a while we let it all go. Our yard, our Eden fell apart from neglect.
A month ago, we were given a few plants. Those plants have revived our gardeners hearts.
Yes, we talked about re-doing the back yard garden but I wanted it to be different this time. I talked to Rob about color and art and showed him pictures that I had found on Pinterest. 

I asked him what he would like and it was awesome on how much we both wanted the same things.
We dug up old pots and bought new ones.
In this past month we have exploded with plants.
We have purchased 3 different colors of hibiscus, two types of jasmine, and our first rose bush.
I don't think either of us really understood how much we have missed having flowers around.
Right now our front yard is covered in bright colors, yellows, reds, pinks and lots of green.
Once there were days we would awake and go walk the garden to see what was blooming.
Those days are back.
This time we're doing it better, we have involved the kids.
We are starting our first veggie garden this week and we're letting the kids pick out not only the veggies but the flowers they want to see.
My plan is to buy a plant every payday, to rebuild, to bring in the butterflies and hummingbirds that ignore us for the neighbors yard.
I pray that this is a start to a colorful relationship.




*Carrie*

This past weekend I was at retreat called Learning to Love the Master with 20+ ladies from our church.
The premise of the course is to write your God story. Which in easy terms means that you start with your earliest memories, whether you were a believer or not and ask where God was. It can be very powerful to see along the way how the Lord protected, cried, laughed and held you during your journey to him.
For me it was slightly different.
I had to learn that I don't have to get it "right". That God made me just the way he wanted me to be and that I need to stop trying to be someone else.
I found that I have been heading in the direction the He is leading me and that I need to stop making excuses for it and be a light for myself and for others.
In Carrie terms that means that I continue to wear bright colors, sing while standing in line, dancing around a room when there is no music and trying to make you smile almost every time I talk to you. I have learned how tender my heart really is and that I marvel at the beauty that is our world that my Father created for us.
Learning to Love the Master is not just a one time retreat, its something that I found I have been doing for a couple of years now, I just didn't know it.
See, Rob took the course a few years ago and I asked him questions on how it works. Since then I have been seeking where God has been whenever a memory came up.
When this retreat was announced for the women, I felt no hesitation, I was open to the experience and excited to see where God was going to take me.
This is very unlike me because I tend to be a home body and I don't like to room with 5 other women.
By the way the accommodations were awesome! Yes, it was rooms filled with bunk beds but there was A/C and great water pressure and the food was down home yummy.
When we started the overview Friday night I was all psyched up, ready to cry, ready to cleanse and learn more about my life. While I tried to force memories and be like the other women in my group it became very apparent that that's not the direction God wanted to go.
And I'm really curious to see where God wants me to go.
*Carrie*

This is my morning to relax. My home is the cleanest its been in months and even though I have a room to go, the crap room, I need to take a break for me.
Plus you missed me right?
tap, tap....is this on?
Friday morning we dragged Grandpa and the kids off to the zoo.
I must say I'm loving the improvements that have been made and the new animals that we have acquired. Our zoo isn't huge and since we go so often we get through it pretty quick. I believe our 

time this round was an hour and a half. I would love to go one day with no kids and to take my time and photograph all my favorite animals.
Saturday morning was the final Tour of the Tucson Mt's bicycle race. Our little team planned to ride 27 miles and complete it in 2-21/2 hours.
Me and the kids saw them off and wandered around to wait, thankfully I got a closer parking spot in the shade that made things soooo much easier.
 The weather was perfect with just a slight breeze. At about 2 hours the kiddos and I head to the finish

line. Within minutes my phone rings and Rob is suppose to be calling me from the final rest stop so that I can get ready. The call went something like this.
Rob- hey hon
Carrie- How you guys doing?
Rob- we're at the halfway point.
Carrie- Wha?
Rob- your mom is having some problems. (he proceeds to fill me in)
Carrie- Ok, be careful. I'll see you at the finish line.
Half way? at least another 2 hours? We can do this.
The kids and I head back to the shade of the truck to play their Ds' and me to read and browse Pinterest on my phone.
After about 2 hours we head back to the finish line, just as we are about to cross the street a car pulls up next to us with mom on board. Barely able to walk and near tears, she rode 20 miles before they made her stop. I hear more of what happened out on the course. Mom, cute as can be tells me that the guys will be a while because they have eight more miles to ride.Figuring in the length of her car ride and how quick Rob can do a few miles I hotfooted over to the finish line. Let me tell you I got over there just before Rob crossed and a minute after that came their friend Rick.
Now the story of what happened to mom. She had been riding her bike in practice and had told us that she was doing 11 miles at a time. Come to find out her bike computer was set to kilometers instead of miles. She was doing maybe 4 miles at a shot. Out of the bike course mom was also having alot of problems with her seat. At their first rest stop mom fell off her bike, her legs wouldn't support her, whenever they reached another aid station Rob would pull ahead and then help mom to stop so she would continue to fall off. By mile 20 moms legs were numb and her girly area swollen. Mom had ridden 3 times farther than ever before on a bicycle that wasn't completely set up for her. Of course, she was beating herself up for not finishing and we hope she finally understood that 1) most people don't even get off the couch 2) her bike wasn't set up properly 3) it doesn't matter because she amazed all of us 4) there will be other races.
Later that afternoon we had our Girl Scout cookie recognition party at the park. Us leaders talked about how we wanted to present the awards because we didn't want a mess on our hands or awards to get mixed up. After some yummy lunch and cake, we had all the girls get together and handed out their goody bags. Kelly was given her bag and patches for selling 500 boxes of cookies. She was a trooper at all the cookie booths and when we got the boxes for the incentives she helped me separate all them by girl and bag them up for the party. It really has been a great year for her in scouts, heck the best year so far and she is looking forward to another year as a junior. I'm excited to see what next year will bring.
 *Carrie*

This week is National Park week and we got into Saguaro Park East for free.
Now, I have lived here for almost 20 yrs and for the second time I was able to see a Gila moster in the wild. I didn't get out of our truck because one, he is crossing the road and he stopped when I stopped the truck and two, I had cyclists and cars coming up behind me. So I snapped off a few quick shots before driving on.
Come to find out it is mating season for these guys so I'm tempted to go out again tomorrow morning.

We finished off our day by the whole family going

the fair.
I just realized that I didn't take a single photo of all of us as we wandered around. I have also realized that I haven't taken any pictures of my dad this week either. Now that I know I'll get crackin' on it.
Back to the fair... the kids had done a fun house, the big slide, when Wyatt asked to do the zip line...wha? The zip line?
Wyatt and Kelly got strapped in and off they went. I was both proud and amazed at my children. Once down Wyatt asked to go again and since it was only $2 more Rob and I said yes. Now Wyatt is 

asking to have a zip line at his birthday.
I would have never thought Wyatt would want to do something like this and yet so proud of him to overcoming his bit of fear just before he stepped off that edge. Way to go Wyatt and Kelly!
Of course no trip to the fair would be complete without my annual try at photographing the Ferris wheel. Due to all the kids we really didn't get much camera time but I got a couple of shots. We keep saying how we need to come alone one night but have yet to do so. I suggested that we come during the day and let the kids go nuts on rides. Then as evening approaches the kids all leave with Nina and us adults can ride the rides and take pictures, also mom has no interest in riding the rides.
That was another thing, I really wished I knew how to take good night shots of moving objects. All of my action photos of the kids are blurry. Also for next year I want to bring way more money. It gets so frustrating to hear your kids complain because they can't buy this and that and can't play all the games or ride all the rides. Yeesh. I know overall they had a good time and I understand their want to have souvenirs and prizes. We plan to be better prepared next year.
This weekend is on the crazy schedule side. Tomorrow we plan on going to the zoo and Saturday will be insane. Rob and mom are doing the bicycle ride, Tour of the Tucson Mt's, then we have the GS awards ceremony and then most of the adults are going to the dirt track races. Exhausting...
*Carrie*

Sometimes you just have to do something, anything to jump start yourself, then everything else is just gravy.

That is what this month has been for me. I'm just trying to jump start myself and get back on the creative bandwagon. April has been a crazy month; I quit my job a week before tax season was over, Easter, we broke the A/C in our truck, we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, Kelly fractured her wrist and Chelsea broke her glasses, I got strep throat and my Dad is here from Michigan for a visit and we are trying to refi the house... I know there is more but that's what comes to mind at first.

I'm not sure if I'll explain it all out but this has at least given me a reason to get back on my blog. I've been home for about 3 weeks now and at first, it was I would blog once I had gotten the house cleaned up, then I got sick and as I lay on the couch exhausted I would think of all the things I could blog about but was too tired to do. This morning I'm feeling good, I have a daily to do list made and I told myself no more excuses.

This is a start.

A quick picture of the kids on Easter. I've been trying to let go of some of the control and just let them be goofy in pictures, one day I will have great black mail material.

As of today, Kelly's wrist is healed. Kelly was at school, playing soccer, got tripped and fell with her wrist hitting on a rock. At first we thought it was badly bruised but after a couple of days her and daddy were playing around, he grabbed her arm and she dropped to the floor bawling, we knew something was off. Took her to the doctor, got xrays and it was a small break and thankfully the bones were lined up, she just had to wear a splint for 3 weeks. The latest xrays show the bones healing nicely and just to be careful the next couple of weeks.

I'll continue to fill in as I get back up to speed but I have some things I need to get done today.

It's been a crazy few weeks and nothing is changing anytime soon, but I have a month to go! Yippee!!!
I really miss my old routine.

Heck, I haven't uploaded photos since Feb 19th.
I'm not going to make any promises but I am going to try and pick up my camera more.
Spring is happening in Tucson right now and I'm missing it, being couped up in the office.
On to happier things...

Yesterday we celebrated Girls Scouts 100th birthday.
Thank you Juliette Low for creating this great opportunity for our daughters.
A tradition I am proud to support and be a part of.
*Carrie*

This morning after a bit of bad luck, which LaDonna and I are now calling it the curse of Art.
Sounds so vague doesn't it?
This morning after dropping off the kids at school, and trying to drive the 2 mile distance down the street to work, the van broke down.
Like dropped gears, no go, shudder and die, had to be pushed off to the side of the road, died.
One of the perks of working at the office is that I get a discount at Ventana Automotive, but even with my discount the number was just too much.
The amount to fix the van is more than what the van is worth.
The car needed a new fuel pump and filter, with towing and everything we were looking at $1000.
Yep, good bye van. The van with the mysterious oil leak and no A/C, you are being retired.
Goodbye my dreams of buying a welder for Rob and a tablet for myself.
We are now on the hunt for a used car,van, truck for $3000.
Oh and what about the curse of Art?
Last year while working at the office the truck broke down. Thankfully that cost less than $300 but the truck has not broken down at all since then. Now, this year I'm driving the van and lo and behold the van breaks down.
LaDonna has worked at the office for 4 years. Each year in June, her phone has had an untimely death due to water, always when Art is out of town.
So due to our yearly troubles we are calling it the curse of Art.
Tomorrow we will go and clean out the van and say goodbye as she is being donated.
Told you the thing isn't worth what it would cost to fix it and the auto shop will take it and call our $125 bill even.
Now I'm praying that God will provide us the best car for the $$ we have. Come on tax return, show up fast.
*Carrie*

I know the world has already rehashed the Superbowl and I'm late to the party but I just have to put in my two cents.
We headed over to my brother's house to watch the game.
Mom and Mikey were rooting for the Patri-idiots, OK I'll be nice, the Patriots and Rob and I were rooting for the Giants.
All the normal razing was going on. Mikey calling Eli, baby Manning and I was calling Brady a egotistical peacock.
I must say its the one time of the year that I don't 

want to get up even to use the bathroom because the commercials are just as good as the game.
And it was a great game.
Shortly after the second quarter started, Amanda arrived with a couple of pizza from NYPD and man were they HUGE.
I mean look at the size of that pie compared to the guys' hands. HUGE!
We chowed on pizza and moms baby shit dip.
One of the commercials actually had the guys leave to run up to the store. Rob and Mike were on their

 last beers and the commercial came on for Bud Light Platinum. Right after the half time show they went up and grabbed a six pack of bottles from the gas station. Both guys really liked the taste and agreed to forever skip regular Bud Light for the Platinum. Men.
Me, I want the blue bottles, and if you read my blog you know why.
I was telling my friend LaDonna about the beer and her step dad went out and got some and they are saving me the bottles. Love it. Oh and he likes the beer too.

Anyway, I think this is the first time we have actually run out and bought something because of
advertisement within an hour of seeing the commercial.
Madonna did a pretty good half time show but I'm in it for the game and commercials. My absolute favorite was the one for the Voice with Betty White, oh and the M&M's. I love a commercial that can make me laugh or tug at my heart strings, aka the Budweiser Clydesdale's.
And so, the kids ran around like crazy, we cheered and jeered at each others teams,  and did some crazy dances whenever the Giants did anything exciting. I'm pretty sure I held my breath those last 57 seconds waiting to see if the Pats were going to score but it didn't happen. In all honesty the Pats really didn't have their act together and you can't blame it on the fact that Gronkowski wasn't at 100%.
So back to the real world, football season is over till August and Sundays will become open to do whatever we want as a family.

*Carrie*

dang nab it, I almost did it again.
I could have sworn I blogged the other day but I must have forgotten.
Trying to stay up on things, of course it might go to hell in a hand basket because I'll be going back to work for tax season next week.

This shot looks awfully familiar but I took it yesterday. It was liked on Facebook but not well enough to put it on the news this morning.
Oh well.
Rob has been on vacation this week, and we have been running around, get little honey do jobs finished. Tuesday was his 41st birthday and one of the things that he has been wanting is something I don't think anyone would guess in a million years.
The man has wanted a YUDU on and off for the last two years. He was very bummed when I was a demonstrator that it wasn't one of the tools I received in my kit. He has talked about making shirts and all these designs are running around in his head. I think his first project is to make some shirts for our home church with our logo on them and there has already been talk about making shirts for the church when we do the Easter egg hunt.
This post is really disjointed and I'm tired so if I remember I will post again before the weekend.
*Carrie*

Ok, this is my bathtub right this minute.
Crazy huh?
My back is going to be killing me by the end of the day as I work to peel off the labels.
After the labels are off then I scrap all the residue glue off and then give them a regular wash to get the goo gone off.
Then they will be ready for decorating!
If I stay true to my to-do list I will be cutting out vinyl to put on some of the bottles.
Some bottles will be set aside for table scape decorations, maybe spray painted, maybe glittered, and some will be used to become tiki torches. I will keep updating as I go.
Now I'm off to start scraping. I think I will start with the ones soaking in the kitchen sink first.
*Carrie*

This is what I put on Facebook last night.

Chelsea comes up to me in the kitchen and shows me her fingers that she colored black, as I clean off her hands I tell her that we don't color on ourselves, she tells me, I want to be a jaguar. I say, but God made you a beautiful girl, she replies, I don't want to be beautiful, I want to be a jaguar. Chelsea says the darnedest things lately.

Sunday we had lunch at subway, when Chelsea received her meatball sub she opened it up and proceeded to inform us that her sandwhich had "balls"! Sorry, we just snickered.

This morning we went to the grocery store after dropping K & W off at school. We grabbed the things we needed and came home. As I'm putting away the groceries Chelsea asks where her cheese is at. I didn't buy any cheese. So I ask her what cheese she is talking about she says the "cotton" cheese.  Ahh, the cottage cheese.

More funnies from Chels, she calls her pajamas, fajamas and bologna, barronie

*Carrie*

I said the other day that the weekend was predicting plenty of cloud cover and I had hoped it would make for some beautiful sunsets.

 You have already seen this first photo. Well I posted it onto my favorite local news station and thankfully my friend Julie commented because I would have never known the accolades that people posted. I had tears in my eyes.

Its nice to know that when your out in the chilly air, praying that the light will go that gorgeous red/pink that you can capture it just right. Each night when I would pack it in my fingers would be stiff and cold and I would hope it looks as good on the screen as I see it on the camera display.

 This photo I never sent to the news because frankly it didn't live up to my vision. I will head back to the drawing board and try again.
See I live about 1-2 miles from the famous airplane bone yard, and not once have I really tried to get a picture of it. Well Saturday night, Rob was selling firewood and told me to come on out. We sat and watched the sky turn colors as I kept changing where to take the picture. We finally reached the conclusion that I need to be higher or in a completely different spot. Still, the sunset was beautiful.
On Sunday night, I told Rob that no matter what I had to go out to see how the sky was shaping up. I tried a new location and while it wasn't bad, I can find better. I really need a wider lens though...hint...hint..
This last photo I posted to the KVOA Facebook page I found out the next morning from my friend Annette that they showed that photo on the 10 o'clock news. Sadly, we were sound asleep at 9:15pm. and they didn't show it the next morning either. Oh well, it brings me such joy to know that some people like my pictures and keeps me motivated to keep going out and improving.

Last night we grabbed some pizza and headed out to shoot the sunset.
The kids had their ds's and a book to keep them busy after eating in the van while Rob and I chatted outside and ate our pizza.
The sunset wasn't exactly what I had hoped for but it was beautiful in it's own right.
The area I was in, is one that I'm comfortable with and its quiet. Rob and I talked last night about exploring around town to find other vantage points to shoot from.
To make the pictures more unique. I mean come on, how many sunsets and saguaros postcards have you seen? Its an iconic Arizona picture, but one that the locals are tired of seeing.
I'm hoping to explore Arizona more this year, get to see places that most people don't want to get off the beaten path to see.
Still on the same topic just going on a tangent, if I had to pick a single word to think or work on this year, it would be patience. I know I'm asking for trouble when I say I need patience but I have come to realize in the last few months that I expect myself to know, do, understand quickly. I have a hard time taking a breath and concentrating on a project to get it done right. I'm almost to the point where I say, just do it to get it done. That feels wrong to me.
Take your time, think it through, execute with the best of your ability. I know I will get better and faster with knowledge and practice, and I'm talking about most areas of my life.
The weather man has forecasted partly cloudy skies for the next few days and I'm hoping to take advantage of that.
*Carrie*

Good morning beautiful world
The dawning of a new day brings so many possibilities.
So far today:
Helped get everyone ready to go to school, and caught Kelly stealing some of Dad's chocolate truffles to put in her lunch bag.
I randomly pulled the car over to take some pictures of this mornings sunrise that at first I thought was gonna be blah...yeah, turned out gorgeous
Got to school with the promise to the kids that the dogs could ride with us in the morning.
Came home uploaded photos and sent some to my favorite news station KVOA channel 4, and of course to my homies on Facebook.
Does anyone still use the term homies??
Anyway, I filled up the sink with some very hot water and added some bottles to start soaking off the labels and then wrangled Chelsea into getting ready to go on an errand.
Now I'm back home, I've scrubbed off some labels and now decided that I better blog before I let another day pass.
Its only 10:30. I wonder what things are in store for the rest of the day?

Last night we headed to my liquor bottle supplier to pick up the empties and they had quite a few bottles for me. I talked again to one of the owners and she wants pictures of what I'm doing with them. So now I need to print out the photos of the ones I've already done and complete some more and get photos of those too.
Rob, myself and the owner all have these ideas for what we might do with the bottles, and how they can be used in the restaurant. I just need to get the hardware and ink for the printer to complete two more of our ideas. To be continued....
*Carrie*

 Here is a look at the decor I put on the wine bottles for my sister in law. This is something I'm going to try and sell at craft fairs this year.
Now I know I won't get rich but it's a lot of fun just collecting the bottles and then trying to decide what to put on them.
I found one shop on Etsy that is selling these for $15 and that's not including shipping. My thought was to sell them for $7 to $10. We will see.
I have green wine bottles and clear wine bottles and I also have liquor bottles, Jim beam, volska vodka, touaca rum. I have a few specialty bottles that I'm saving for another project. I saw on Pinterest that you can use the Patron bottles as oil lamps. Some of my bottles will be used around my back yard for tiki lamps and I'm thinking of doing a bottle tree. Some of my clear bottles I'm going to try coloring them with alcohol ink or colored mod podge. We shall see.

Rob is giving me some hell cause the patio is starting to fill up with all these bottles. What I'm trying to get him to understand is that I need more! Some bottles will hopefully be sold off, some will go to mom and her holiday decor and other will stay here for our indoor/outdoor decor.
I'm just having fun collecting the bottles.
I'll have to redo the pictures of mom's bottles. She choose for her soap bottle a Hornitos liquor bottle and it's big too, her bottle choice for olive oil was a smaller Jim beam.

My other project is to work on my photography and carefully select some photos that our family thinks would sell well as greeting cards.
Again, I don't expect to make millions of dollars, its just something fun to do, make new friends and contacts and hopefully make enough $$ to buy more supplies.

 Switching gears, Rob finally made me one gallery shelf that we cut into two 4ft shelves from the plans found on Ana Whites site. Now I just need to decide where they are going to be placed because, once put up Rob is refusing to move them. I'm hoping that I will like them enough to ask for more. I was thinking of using them in the hallway. I can't imagine how many photos I'm going to be able to put up. I have spray painted several frames that I need to find photos that will go with them and then get 'em on the wall. Good bye brown and black and hello a riot of color. I even mentioned to Rob that we need to replant some of our orchids and that I plan on painting all the pots first. Rob just rolls with it, he's awesome that way and if he thinks I'm going a bit crazy he will gently rein me in without hurting my feelings.

So the other day we were over at my brother Mike's for his birthday, as we pulled up I saw the light making this cactus glow. I didn't have my tripod but I think I got a pretty good shot. I need to get one where it glows even more in the evening light or maybe in silhouette where it blocks out the sun.
All the things that I'm working on.
Happy Crazy.
*Carrie*