Love my Job

Two years ago I had the opportunity to work part time for Dear Handmade Life.  I get to work from home, sometimes go to the office and do some accounting, but mostly from home.  Its a perfect job for me because I get to write, and do some detailed work, and help out my boss with any task that she wants to give me.  Our family has also gotten to go to Ventura for conferences, and then this last week I had the privilidge to go to San Fran and watch my boss record a live online class. She did awesome, and the studio made me jaw drop.  It was so cool! Walls made of plants, total industrial style building with beautiful street views, and a really cool staff that does everything they can to make the class go well.  Originally I didn't want to be filmed in the live audience, but I had to sit in to replace a lady who went a little crazy during the first day filming session.  I was so nervous the whole time because the cameras were so close, and I caught a little smidge of my weird smile in a clip that we watched.....
But besides that.....CreativeLive Studios were awesome!
 
 I rented this sweet little death trap.....

 Yeah, the backseat is in my back pocket.....
 

 

 After we wrapped up the first day, my boss and I headed back to the house she rented for the filming, and she treated me to am amazing dinner at some trendy restaurant. 

  
It was a really nice night away for me. Very "adult"

 and grown up.  I love the perks from my job!!!

Art Source

I usually try to pick up any spare job that I can to offset the costs of living in our house. I've done housecleaning, errands, laundry folding, childcare, and basically anything that anyone asks me to do.  One presented itself to me the other day, and it was completely different then anything I've done, but it was so much fun!
I was a cashier at a home during one of those weekend art trails things.  I had to talk to people, wrap their items, and ring them up.  Fun, and very easy work for this chattery gal! I got dressed up, coffee'ed up, and enjoyed my afternoon!

Locksmith's Wife

A key, an orange peel, a pen, and {what used to be} a pad of post-it notes. The aftermath of not checking the locksmiths pocket before doing laundry.

Dr. Visits

This is how I roll.
Get em in.
Get em done.
Move on.

Family Date Night

After the kids and I spent a day at the river, we talked the hubby into taking us all out to a buger place up north a bit.  We had never been, and everyone loves burgers.   The weather was awesome, and we really enjoyed our date night.

 
 
 

 

 
Rich and I even took a little walk down memory lane and found the little bed and breakfast that we spent the first two nights after we got married.  (Que the kids rolling their eyes...)

Nolan's Baby Book

I sat down in June to start Nolan's baby book.
{blink, blink}
Pretty sure that a lot of the details are not going to be able to be remembered.  I've pulled from the calender that was hanging on his wall, the doctor visit papers, the blog, and facebook to piece together his first 41/2 years.
And I feel like a mommy failure. 
All the other kids had their books done as they grew. 
But this guy's book was somehow set aside....for 4 years.

I guess better late then never?

Another Outside Project

I guess this stuff just never ends.....

Grass is overrated.....fire pits are more fun! 

I *probably* shouldn't have tried to dig a hole with the pick ax.....add the cost of a broken sprinkler pipe to the project. 

Found some chairs on Craigslist for $2. Can't beat that! 

A few old fence boards put together make a perfect table top for the firrpit! 

And log rounds add some side tables! 

Invite some friends or neighbors over for smores, and we are set for some beautiful backyard evening fun! 

Nolan's Graduation

The littlest little "graduated" from "The Farm".
I didn't realize that it was going to be a big thing, but the teachers made it so cute for the kids.
There was a potluck, and dancing (hoe-down style). 
Mrs Liz read a poem about the joys and freedoms of childhood, and then handed each graduating student a book of pictures of their time at the farm, and a superhero cape, and a jar of ladybugs to be set free in the garden.
It was the perfect ending to a pretty magical experience for Nolan. 
He's loved his time there.
The fruit trees to eat from.
The trees to climb.
The rope swing to master.
The leg breaker teeter-totter.
The sandpit complete with a waterfall. 
A really wonderful place for a kid to just be a kid!