Mesa County Fair 2010

When my best friend (and twin) Molly decided to come to me with the idea of entering a few of my drawings to fair this year...I laughed. I'm just not ready for that yet. I mean, there is still so much I need to learn! Which means, most of my drawings look "flat". So, I had to tell her no. She didn't give up though. When my boss got ear, she too encouraged me to enter. But I still wasn't feeling it. Molly told me that she'd be entering some of her photos into the fair this year. And that did it. I started looking thru my computer files looking at all the pics I've taken since Dad gave me one of his cameras. I found two....both Lighthouse pictures. I also came across my photos from the Korean Friendship Bell. I decided to send both lighthouse photos and my abstract pagoda photos to Walgreens to be blown up and printed. When I picked them up before work that same day, I was excited to show them to my friends and get their input. I never intended to "show" my pagoda. But my boss insisted that I HAD TO enter that one to fair. Of coarse, I had ONE day to get my photos matted and framed before entering them the next day. Let me tell you! There is NOTHING like waiting until the last minute. lol. Thankfully all the frames were on sale. But the mats were a different story! They only had TWO black mats left. And guess what? I bought them both. Needless to say, I was a wreck the next day entering my "babies" to fair. On Tuesday, my boss asked me if I had checked on them and if I placed. I hadn't even known when they were judging! She told me that they had judged on Monday. YIKES! I forced Jaron to take me down to the fairgrounds and pay the rediculous cost of $17 for us all to get in.....just so I could see the results. He was NOT amused. When we made it to the building that housed all the drawings, photos and paintings...I almost froze with anxiety. I just didn't think I could go in and be disappointed. So, I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk through those doors. I was overwhelmed by the amount of artwork on the walls. And just the amount of talent portrayed. I quickly found my lighthouse photo and was totally in shock. I had placed third. I hadn't even expected that one to place...because it's so "normal" of a shot. But it did. I moved down the wall in search of my pagoda.... and finally found that one too....with a third place ribbon as well! I was beaming!!! I mean, I'm not an excellent photographer...there is still so much I get confused on. Okay, I get confused over everything that is camera related! lol. So, to place on both just totally made my week! (^_^) lol And guess what? I'm already thinking about what to do for next years fair. lol. I promised a drawing in fair....so that is definitely something I'm going to be working on. But I think too, there will definitely be some photos entered. <3>

Out of Touch Much?

Whew! I just realized it's been a whole year since I've done anything with my blog...if you follow, so sorry!!! Life just tends to get away with us. Lots of stuff going on. Hmm, where to start? I'm still working at a gym here in town. It's been crazy with that...new management, new rules, etc. I'm not too keen on change. It's been a bit tough for me. Jaron was laid off in February. Still isn't working, but he's been awesome helping with the kids here at home. :) Megan turned 13 this past April....what can I say about that!? **rolling my eyes** Trevor had surgery on Monday....it was his appendix. He's doing great, although has a tough time with eating yet. Things just don't settle so well with him. But we're hopeful. He has a check up next Wednesday with the surgeon. The surgery put a damper on his soccer season. He'll be out two games, both of which are this weekend. Megan's still playing too....they both love it. Josh is his usual self...cracking me up with his "Joshie-isms". Today I was told "Well played, Mom.....well played" lol. The things that come out of their mouths. ;) Not much else is new. I'm participating in the Relay for Life here in Junction. First time in a long time that I've done a fundraising event. Will be a blast as I'm in with a great group of gals. I'll do better to keep up the blog. Although, I have to admit, I'm not much of a writer...so please just bare with me! oxox ~Elysia~

Spring AND Summer Fever!

OOOOH My! I'm struggling so bad these past few weeks. The great outdoors are calling to me (and the kids!) to come play. But we cannot....at least not yet! We still have two more weeks (well, one and a half now!) of school! Soon we will be enjoying hikes, bike rides, camping and more. I find myself daydreaming about all the fun and memories we'll be making. It's so hard to focus. I'm definitely counting down the days.....are you?

Crock potting!

Oh yeah! I'm so in the zone! What am I talking about? I'll tell you in a minute...and NO, I haven't lost my mind! lol. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine invited me to her Homemade Gourmet party she was having. I was excited! I used to sell Pampered Chef, and this was a little different than utensils and stoneware (which I LOVE PC's stoneware!).....it was spices and quick easy meals you can prepare. Now, if you know me personally you KNOW I hate to cook. I'm not good at coming up with recipes or good dinners based on "throw this together" type. I'm in need of recipes!! lol. So, I went...got my 5 "meals", which were just marinades that we mixed at the party into gallon ziplocks. I came home and my DH says "That's what you got for $22!!!". A little disappointed by the fact that I got 5 marinade type deals for the money, I proceeded to use these marinades for the next 5 nights. Every night my DH only had awesome things to say about my "cooking"....which I used a CROCKPOT for! lol. It was so nice to cook for him for a change. And I felt proud that my dinners were yummy! So, now that my marinades are gone....I'm stuck back in the rut of "what's for dinner?" and "Do ***I*** have to cook?". My DH is way better in the kitchen than me. But guess what!? On another group (on yahoo), my online friends shared a great blog all about crockpot cooking! Oh! I cannot wait to test out the recipes and make my DH's life easier (since he works 10 hours a day!). Check her blog out: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ AMAZAZING!!! :0)

April 2009!!??

Wow! How time has flown by! My last blog was before Christmas!!! Lots going on in the Schu' household. Lots of homeschooling and sports.... now that it's spring. We just finished up our CSAP's for the year. I pray my kids did well. This being our first year homeschooling, it's been a challenge getting into a groove of "okay now it's time to do our work"....seems they just don't take "mom as teacher" very seriously most days. We're working on it though. We also just did our NWEA tests for the older two. This week, our youngest, will be doing a reading test...to see what level he reads at. I'm eager to see, since he reads better than all of us! lol Soccer is in full swing! We just had our second game yesterday....lost again. But that's okay. We made them earn it! Jaron's also playing softball, which was not fun since it's been cold cold cold! But now that the weather is getting nicer, it will be a whole lot more fun!



Not much else is new. Megan's working on her Silver Award for Girl Scouts. She has a class (overnighter) once a month, until June. I cannot believe how big all the kids are getting. They grow so fast. Another reason I wanted to homeschool. I really miss them during the day or when they're gone. And soon they'll be flying the nest, off on their own adventures.



Well, dinner is done. God Bless you all! And come back soon.

~Elysia~

Let it snow!

After an exhausting two days of a sicky Trevor, we woke to a wonderful white blanket of fresh snow. What a gift from our loving wonderful heavenly Father! Have you ever just took a moment to look around?? There are little love notes from Him everywhere!! In an ocean breeze. In a beautiful sunset. In a crisp cool Autumn morning. Everywhere!! And even though our last two days were physically tiring, we did not miss His gift to us this morning. It's just His way to show us that He loves us! ♥

~Elysia~

Megan

Let's just start off by saying "I'M SO PROUD of my Megan!" Meggie performed in her first piano recital yesterday.... and did FANTASTIC! If you don't know her, she's a very shy sweet girl. So, sitting in front of a room FULL of people, and playing a song she's been practicing for two to three weeks... well know that this was a big deal for her! I see her growing up into such a beautiful young lady, and my heart just bursts with pride and love. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful daughter.

Here is her recital....I hope it comes through.

Love,
Elysia