Bird Watching... a newer passion.

     Have you ever had time to take a moment for yourself?  I get these moments more and more, as my kids grow older.  I often take these snips of time, to enjoy a walk in nature.  One of the things that my adventure in Texas allowed me to learn to afford.  I can bring along my camera, and stare through the lens.  "What was THAT?"  "Oh, it was a bird.  Whoa, did you see THAT bird?"  "It has a red tip on it's head."  "Or Look!, that one is all blue."  "Quick, focus, it's going to leap to that branch."  "Wait, no... it's taking flight!"
     I believe I have found a way, to take a breathe; and forget everything that is bouncing in my head.  I can simply enjoy these seconds in time.  Although, it is always a step above amazing, when my kids come with me.  Whether it's a step that my son takes, onto the porch with me, to have a little chat.  Or a walk to a local park with my daughter, to enjoy whatever we may see/do. I know that I can always enjoy my alone time too.  Have you taken a moment to remember "me" lately?

    I've learned that life is not forgiving.  The moments of stress and heartache are plentiful.  Allowing yourself to steal a moment, take advantage even, just to "watch the birds"; everyone should try. 

new layouts and tool talkin'

I pulled out my old trusty friend... the "Xyron 150" sticker maker. If you make your own diecuts and letters using cricut or similiar cutting machines... the xyron 150 makes them into stickers. Remember that you can only fit up to 1 1/2" in the xyron 150. You will need the 250 or larger, xyron, to make larger diecuts into stickers. Then you also need to decide if you want permanent adhesive (I recommend it) or repositionable. In my experience, repositionable adhesive is only used while you make a layout that you aren't sure the placement of items on, yet. THEN... you will want to add permenant. An ugly extra step, that seems to be a waste of time to me. I found all my embelly's at the bottom of my page protector, when I used repo. glue or gluesticks too for that matter.

One more tip... to save glue in the xyron machine, simply load the diecuts or letters so that they overlap one another. You just need enough glue on them for them to stick. I got all my letters on about 8 " of tape, instead of probally 20" is I had the letters all seperately glued. Hope the pic helps show that.

I also had cut my letters from the cricut. I then peeled the paper off the mat, leaving the letters on the mat. I then used a sanding block (tim holtz has a new mini sized block for paper crafting) and sanded a bit of the cardstock letters, before removing them to be glued. This only works on cardstock that has one color on each side or a center white core in the paper. Otherwise you wouldn't see the sanded part more than a little texture.


Darn it, the pic is sideways... LOL Click on it, and turn your head. :) Ha-ha!!

It has definitely been some time since my last post.  My oldest son has graduated high school.  We have moved from Oregon to Texas.  My middle child is now a sophomore.  My youngest has become a 7th grader, and even had her first date.  Oh my... how time flies.
My bil, Sgt. Patrick L. Huntley was killed during a training mission in 2011.  He had given 13 years of military service, in the Army.  Just typing this sentence somehow makes me speechless.  I miss his voice, his chuckle, his advice.  I miss his kids too.  Sadly his widow feels we were not meant to remain in touch.  For now that is not something I can change.
My husband is estranged from his family.  There are things that most don't understand.  Things that aren't easily "blood is thicker than water" kind of things.  For this time in our lives, we are working to live how we are meant to.  I'm struggling to decide what God's plan is, what my family members plans are, and what is best for everyone involved.
Do we stay here in Texas?  Do we return to Oregon?  What were our motivations to move in the first place?  37 years in one state is a long time!  We wanted to see new things.  Experience life!  After loosing Patrick, we didn't want to feel like when we got old, that we would regret not exploring outside of what we were comfortable with. What we always did, already knew, was too much the same ol'.  Sometimes you need to go away from things, far enough to miss then later.

I came back to blogging, in hopes of recording my travels. Keeping record of my thoughts and emotions.  Hopefully allowing people in a little, and hoping they can understand what it is like, to walk some steps in my shoes. I wonder what it would be like to jump out of mine, and into others too.

I am currently working 40 hours a week, for Michaels.  I am the replenishment manager currently.  On April 1st, I will celebrate my 9th anniversary with Michaels.  Again, times flies!!  I am proud of the job I do there.  Some days, most days, aren't easy days.  I rarely feel accomplished at the end of the day, because there is always a task list waiting for my return.  However, I love working in the crafting field.  I was meant to help others.  I know that.  I find enjoyment, when I can complete a craft project myself.  But, maybe a little more enjoyment comes when I can help another.  Getting the supplies they need, or helping with the idea that started before they entered our door.  I think that is the reason I go back, day after day... year after crazy year.

I struggle to be the best parent I can be.  Most days I am sure my kids feel I failed.  However, most days I know I still love them at the end of the day.  Hopefully they feel that, and believe it when I say it.  I want them to find life exciting.  Like each moment should be cherished.  My family knows all to well, that tomorrow is not promised.  Hell, the next hour isn't either!  I think my biggest struggle is knowing how many wasted moments happen too easily.

I am fortunate to share a passion for photography, with my daughter.  We could spend hours behind our lens... chatting along the way.  I love lens time.  It is amazing to produce a beautiful photo, whether walking a park trail alone, or with a friend.  To see something, as someone else saw it... WOW!  It teaches something to a persons soul... like a painter using a canvas medium.  Even better, is that the same image, can teach something different to each viewer, maybe something new every time it is viewed.  So, I choose to spend time not only taking photos, but trying to live the experience I live as I take the photos.  (Someday I'll take a nikon camera class and figure out the setting I play with so often)

Now, back to current life.  Our uncle was just diagnosed with throat cancer.  My son is figuring out what he will do.  (Currently looking at schooling to become a firefighter, which I think is perfect for him!).  My other son is struggling through his boredom of high school English and Math.  He's in JROTC and has plans to enter the military after graduation.  He will be amazing at anything he puts his mind to doing!  My daughter enjoys choir.  With two upcoming competitions, excitement is in the air around her.  Then there is next week... SPRING BREAK!  I'm on vacation and so are the kids.  Hubby, not so much... but hoping he can take a day or two off too.  Where to go?  What to see?  San Antonio?  The Alamo?  Humm...

Photos and more info to come...