Tony Hawk, Meet DRL.

DRL and I first met at Trollhaugen Ski Area when I was 16 years old.  We became friends the next summer, when I took up skateboarding.  I never amounted to much of anything, and gave up the sport after that season.  I realized that concrete is much less forgiving than snow, and tricks are much harder to do when your feet aren't strapped to the board. 

DRL, however, was quite good.  He even landed himself a minor sponsorship (or two) and a few bit parts in various skateboard videos.  

We lost touch for a year or so while I explored life in Chicago, and when I came back DRL had almost retired from skateboarding.  When we started dating, the almost turned official.  

Recently, he's taken to it again.  And I can't express how happy it makes me that he's back in the "saddle" again.  

heh...heh.....Saddle.  Heh.

He's really good.  He can even ollie Elena's Red Wagon. 

I'm thinking he should try ollie-ing over the Cozy Coupe.  I might have to bust out the video camera for that one, though.

I think he could do it.  

Watch out, Tony Hawk.  DRL's outta retirement and he's taking the neighborhood by storm.  You should see all the young boys who suddenly have skateboards.

I think he's got a (mild) following...

And he is certainly proof that you're never too old to start something again. 

~A

Fizzy.

Elena loves to swing. She asks for the swings constantly, and I'm glad we have a park just down the road from our house.  I'm glad I was able to get a photo of her mid-flight.  

She spent part of the evening gathering sticks and bringing them back to momma.  She laid them in a neat little pile, and I would ask her to go get more.  And she would.  Until she found a puddle to play in.

She also found some mushrooms.  Luckily, she did not try to taste them.

But instead, focused in on Daddy's can of squirt.  She decided to try some of this sodapop.  Yummy.

Except when the fizzy bubbles got in her nose...that part was a bummer.  But it did not stop her from going back for more!!

Two Girls

I am having another girl. She's coming in January. I am excited (to not have to buy more clothes or, anything, really) and terrified (two weddings, two teenagers, two (more) women in menses).

Mostly, I'm just excited.

Any of you (2.5) readers out there with two daughters? Any words of wisdom? Any special advice or things I need to "prepare" for?

Oh, and don't worry about DRL, he's thrilled. A) He guessed the gender correctly, so he's got bragging rights and 2.) Little girls love their daddies. They hate their mothers. He's pleased as punch.

Pray for me,
A

Tone Deaf

I once heard that the word Karaoke means "tone deaf."  Maybe that's what makes participating in it so much fun.  This is me singing Nena's 99 Red Balloons at my girlfriend Nadia's bachelor/ette party.  I also sang a little Nancy Sinatra earlier in the evening...that event went unphotographed.  I rarely like photos of myself, but I'm trying to embrace them.  

I have a feeling 20 years from now I'm going to look at this photo and think that I look(ed) great, so I'm trying to remind myself to (also) enjoy it now.  

Get up and sing the next time you're at a karaoke bar. Especially if you're terrified to do it.  The bone-crushing gut-wrenching fear is what makes it so much fun.

Trust me.

A

Tomboy

Last night Elena found a worm in the front yard.  She grabbed in and ran toward her daddy.  He, being the smart man that he is, ran to the camera and got some great shots of our little tomboy.   

She examined the worm over and over again. She went to the front step and sat down with the it, and she put it on the car and told it to 'go with me' to the store.  She set it down and picked it back up.  Over and over and over again.

And she let it crawl all over her arm.  And she giggled as only she can.  And then she asked me to put her pretty bow in her hair.

Strange kid.

Take it from her, run around with a worm once in awhile...it makes for a fun evening.

~A

Hopeful.

I interviewed for a job today -- a job that I've been aiming to get since I last interviewed for an opening in February. I did the best I could, and went into the interview as prepared as I could be. All I have left to do is cross my fingers, and hope that the hiring manager's gut tells her that I'm the person to choose.

So cross your fingers, dear readers. I need all the good karma I can get.

*muah*
A

I Want the World: I Want the Whole World...

I'm channeling Veruca Salt today, and therefore, the following is a list of things I would love to have.

In no particular order.

*A Nikon D90. D200. Dream big, let's go with the D700. Come to mama!
*The ability to utilize Adobe CS3. Namely, photoshop.
*A baby boy girl boy healthy baby.
*Much smaller thighs and actual, real, ankles.
*A Territory Manager position with Empi. In a bad way (which I have my first interview for on Friday morning. Cross your fingers people!)
*Shoes. Lots of them.
*4 molars for Elena. Please, molar gods, let them pop through already. Poor kid.
*Lots and lots of Spud and Chloe yarn. In every color.
*Dinner with my husband. Just the two of us. And maybe a game of bowling or a trip to see the new Harry Potter.
*A Territory Manager position with Empi. Oh wait, did I say that already?
*Another drawer in my kitchen. Just one would do, really. It'd be like a whole new world. Like when Aladdin took Princess Jasmine on that magic carpet ride. Only without the flying. And the monkey named Apu.

Thanks Santa/God/DRL/Mom. I love you.
A

Two Things

1) I'm a horrible blogger. I may have mentioned that before.

B) We took Elena to Interstate Park (the WI side) over the 4th of July weekend and she got to go swimming at a real beach for the very first time. With all my amateur photography stuff going on, I complete forgot to post the photos. They're priceless. As was the two hour SCREAMING temper tantrum that was thrown upon vacating the beach. Not even an ice cream cone could quell the crying.

It was rough.

It took her no time at all to get into the water. She didn't need to feel it out first. Nope. She hopped right in.

She splashed her hands in the water and giggled. It made my heart warm. Toddler giggles are the best.

SMILE!

If you look closely, you'll notice I'm not touching one itty bit of her in this photo. Thank you DRL - and our zoom lens for making this shot possible. It's my favorite of the day.

Just look at the glee on her face!!

This one, too. For some reason, I feel like I look like Kate (of Jon and Kate fame) in this photo. Minus the irritated expression. And blonde hair. Oh, and with 7 less children.

G'night,

A

Dayna's Wedding: The Details.

The Dress:

The Accessories:


The Ring:






The Flowers:

Thank you, Dayna and Clint, for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I was honored to stand beside you as you exchanged vows, and am grateful to you both for allowing me to capture some of the moments of your day on "film." I'm honored to know you both, and wish you immense happiness.

And since I never post photos of myself, here I am with the Maid of Honor, Chelsea.
Cheers,

Be Enthusiastically You

All the time, every moment. Revel in each one of those moments - your moments, and the moments of others. Take nothing for granted but don't be so burdened with reminders of how easily things are lost. Twirl in circles and get dizzy. Keep even the bad photos of yourself. Encourage one another. Encourage yourself. Cuddle. Say "I Love You." Instead of doing things "before you die" do them to know that you truly lived. Be silent. Let others speak - especially when you disagree with their point of view. Give your neighbors a hand, and those you hate a chance. Feel warmth in your heart. Get teary eyed over something silly. Make friends with a complete stranger.

Be. Enthusiastically. YOU. Every moment of every day. And don't ever let anyone tell you that it's wrong.

Because who you are, can never be wrong.

Cheers,
A

***Update: I wrote this post at 3:30 today...a post about living, life, and being YOU.  Four hours later Susan died.  Elden does not want us to say she lost her battle with cancer, indeed, she did not. She fought. Hard.  And it is up to us, those left on this earth, to continue to FIGHT LIKE SUSAN. If you can, go to Elden's blog and donate to his Livestrong Challenge.  Help them fight LIKE Susan.  If not today, when?  Peace to all, and peace to Elden and his children.