Budding Poet

This is my nephew Joe. He just turned 4. Here is his version of a classic children's poem.

One, two, buckle my "two"
Three, four, shut the door
Five, Six, pick up tools
Seven, Eight, lay them eggs
Nine, Ten, a big fat guy!

I love that little guy!

Defined

What's in your wallet? (one of my favorite ad campaigns)

Purse?

Diaper Bag?

Manbag?

Planner?

Lunch Box?

What do you carry? What's in it? How does it define you?

Several years ago, one of my favorite Scrapbooking guru's, Stacy Julian, challenged people to document (through photos, lists or a scrapbook page) what was in their purse right now. The premise was, how interesting to look back in 10 or 20 years to see what you used to think was important enough to carry around with you.

I loved the concept and even taught a homemaking class using this concept back then. Apparently the magazine that originally published her article got some "feedback" over printing something so totally useless. Weird! I loved the "outside of the box" thinking. This was a period of time in the scrapbooking world where things were being figured out and defined for the future, for today. And whether they like it or not, people like Stacy Julian formed the way a lot of us currently scrapbook.

For example, did you know:

*You Do Not have to scrapbook chronologically

*You Don't have to scrapbook EVERY picture you take

*Scrapbooking is more meaningful if you remember to include the "everyday" moments of life, not just the events

*Using ephemera and "found objects" on projects makes them more unique and personal

*Telling your story is more important than having perfect pictures or matching embellishments

*Journaling should be thought of ahead of time and not as an after thought.

*Journaling can be funny or serious; computer generated or handwritten, but should tell a story, something heartfelt, and/or something that may not be obvious in your photo(s)

Ok, I digress. I just can't help myself when it comes to talking about "out of the box" scrapbooking.

Anyway, Stacy had a revival of "What's in your Purse" Friday morning on her blog. Go read it for yourself. In that blog entry she also posted a link of this. I got so intrigued, that I decided I needed to go through this exercise again as well. So without further adieu.

The thing that really inspired me to take part in this again, was looking at the pictures of all these people. I loved that there was no explanation, just the a picture of them and the contents of their "bag". I liked drawing my own conclusions based on their portrait (which are very telling, I think) AND their "important" junk. What is it they can't live without, or think is important enough to carry on their person.

I'm torn between explaining some of my items, or just to leaving it.

Akkk, I think I'm just going to leave it. What does it say to you? What conclusions are you drawing about me?

My Hero!

(Hole 8)

So yesterday Brad went golfing, it was a historic day! No, not because he went golfing, (we'd have lots of historic days if that's all it took) but because that boy hit a HOLE IN ONE! Woot Woot! Can you even stand it?

(Brad and his winning ball. Mark looking on enviously, in the background. BTW, check out the AWESOME day here in the 831)

This is the second one he's hit in his life. It was on the 8th hole at San Juan Oaks Golf Course. He gets his name on a plaque in the club house. He get's to be in the newspaper. And, of course, according to tradition, he got to buy his buddies, drinks, lunch and whatever else they wanted (weird tradition, I think).

(Mark, Slick, Jerry and Sung. Enjoying the spoils)

However, I know he was thinking of me the whole time he was out on the greens. Thinking, "How can I prove my love for Stef?" This was obviously what he came up with. I love you too Slick! I'm proud of you!

If just in case you are wondering what your odds of making a hole in one are, check out these stats, thanks to Golf Digest:

5,000 to 1 for a "low-handicapper," 12,000 to 1 for an "average player." If you are a low-handicapper and play 1,000 rounds in your life, according to Scheid, you have a 20-percent chance of recording an ace. If you play 5,000 rounds, your odds are 1:1.

The Golf Digest study provided many great nuggets of information, even breaking the odds down by quality of play:

• Tour player making an ace: 3,000 to 1
• Low-handicapper making an ace: 5,000 to 1
• Average player making an ace: 12,000 to 1
• Some other highlights from Scheid's calculations:
• Average player acing a 200-yard hole: 150,000 to 1
• Two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1
• One player making two holes-in-one in the same round: 67 million to 1

And now you know.

Defined

What's in your wallet? (one of my favorite ad campaigns)

Purse?

Diaper Bag?

Manbag?

Planner?

Lunch Box?

What do you carry? What's in it? How does it define you?

Several years ago, one of my favorite Scrapbooking guru's, Stacy Julian, challenged people to document (through photos, lists or a scrapbook page) what was in their purse right now. The premise was, how interesting to look back in 10 or 20 years to see what you used to think was important enough to carry around with you.

I loved the concept and even taught a homemaking class using this concept back then. Apparently the magazine that originally published her article got some "feedback" over printing something so totally useless. Weird! I loved the "outside of the box" thinking. This was a period of time in the scrapbooking world where things were being figured out and defined for the future, for today. And whether they like it or not, people like Stacy Julian formed the way a lot of us currently scrapbook.

For example, did you know:

*You Do Not have to scrapbook chronologically

*You Don't have to scrapbook EVERY picture you take

*Scrapbooking is more meaningful if you remember to include the "everyday" moments of life, not just the events

*Using ephemera and "found objects" on projects makes them more unique and personal

*Telling your story is more important than having perfect pictures or matching embellishments

*Journaling should be thought of ahead of time and not as an after thought.

*Journaling can be funny or serious; computer generated or handwritten, but should tell a story, something heartfelt, and/or something that may not be obvious in your photo(s)

Ok, I digress. I just can't help myself when it comes to talking about "out of the box" scrapbooking.

Anyway, Stacy had a revival of "What's in your Purse" Friday morning on her blog. Go read it for yourself. In that blog entry she also posted a link of this. I got so intrigued, that I decided I needed to go through this exercise again as well. So without further adieu.

The thing that really inspired me to take part in this again, was looking at the pictures of all these people. I loved that there was no explanation, just the a picture of them and the contents of their "bag". I liked drawing my own conclusions based on their portrait (which are very telling, I think) AND their "important" junk. What is it they can't live without, or think is important enough to carry on their person.

I'm torn between explaining some of my items, or just to leaving it.

Akkk, I think I'm just going to leave it. What does it say to you? What conclusions are you drawing about me?

Spring Break!

Life really doesn't get any better than having awesome weather at the beach and being there with family and friends (Dickson's, Lawrences and Sowards) and the Scouts (ok Lawrence's had a Toyota, we'll forgive them this once). We went to Pismo Beach for a few days last week while the kids were out of school for spring break.

Here is my photo journal for the trip.

Getting ready to go

The guys lookin' chill, checking out the rigs (Brady doesn't like what he sees)

What, pray tell, is that big, yellow beast following us?

Shaelyn got to come with us. These girls are practically siamese twins, joined at the ear(bud)

Getting to the Hotel by the Ocean. (And proof that I actually WAS on the trip)

The guys couldn't wait to get the Scouts on the dunes. They left some of us to walk for miles to find them. Thanks to the miracle of modern cell phones we were able to bug them enough that they finally came back and got us.

Loren gets pulled over - I guess 15 mph is the speed limit on the beach.

We didn't want to get too close for fear of getting a ticket as well. Thanks again to the miracle of modern cell phones, Annette called us and told us to scram because the sheriff wanted to give us a ticket too. It turns out neither of us got one. Just warnings.

Brandon Gets stuck. Loren pulls him out

Brad is beyond excited to be cruisin' the dunes (Shaelyn is pretty thrilled too)

Cute Garrett and Cute Taylor. Life is sweet in the back of a Jeep... er...uh, Toyota

Catching "Major Air" (Sowards, Meyers, Dicksons)

If a Scout can be picturesque, this is it.

Afton got to test her driving skills

Brandon contemplating life

The boys contemplating sand wegdies

The girls contemplating being in Bay Watch (Reef contemplating being with all the "hot babes")

Cutest little beach bum, Corey

Notice Reef (still with the hot babes)

Mercedes playing a little ball

Might as well JUMP!

There were lots of Lady Bugs. At the beach? Really? Who knew?

Some in our group had been waiting for 3 years to get back to Jocko's. Was it a legend? A myth? Is this really where they serve the food of the Gods?

Can you feel the anticipation?

The wait, even with reservations, suggests something fabulous ahead

It really was all it was cracked up to be. Oak Fired Steak, Garlic Bread, Baked Potatoes and relish plate. Life just does not get better. This is the stuff dreams (and a little indigestion) are made of.

"It's a good hurt!"

The Barby!

Another cause for Celebration...

Kelsi's 17th Birthday!! Woot! Woot!

Everyone enjoyed the BIGGEST, best and most frosting covered Cinnamon Rolls around! They're award winning for a reason! WOW!

Did she really eat the whole thing?

Shae was covered. Finger lickin' good!

The crazy thing was, we all thought we could feast on the breakfast buffet along with the cinnamon rolls. Burp!

Garrett was thrilled to find out it was all you can eat.

Mmmm... tasty!

Breakfast by the pool. Anna by the hot tub

Corey wonders what it would be like to swim in Apple Juice (he tries to find out by dumping his glassful into the water)

Zack likes the idea of swimming less than 30 minutes after he eats. He lives on the edge.

Brady and Corey. Brotha's from different Motha's

Ready to roll.

Roll back to the rooms that is, and sleep off some of the breakfast.

Artistic Pismo - I had some extra time alone and took some fun shots around town

The Blue wall is intriguing to me

I love reflection pictures. This one was especially cool because I caught my reflection in the window and if you look carefully, you can see an additional reflection in a mirror on the back wall of the store.

Complimentary Colors occurring naturally -- it makes me giddy

I'm not sure this occurred naturally. I liked it anyway

Maybe I should enlarge this, frame it and hang it out back over Brad's favorite adirondack chair. Ya, too bad he doesn't have one of those.

We created some great memories and a few skid marks in the sand!

Life really doesn't get any better than this. We are so blessed to have had this time, these friends, and a spring break! We love you Pismo! We'll be baAaack!