Fun Website

I found this awesome website/blog that has tutorials and free downloads for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.  It is called Coffeeshop.  

I have downloaded many actions from here and also templates and storyboards.  Here is one I just finished.

 

I love how these freebies make me look like I know what I'm doing in PSE.  Thank you, Rita, for a wonderful blog!

SWEET BABY

I had the opportunity to take pictures of my great nephew yesterday.  This is the first time I've taken pictures of a newborn.  He is so sweet.  There were moments when I could feel my internal motherly part yearning for another little boy. . . . . then Noah woke up from his nap and I came to my senses.

Aren't these the cutest little feet?  I could just eat them up!!!

VISITING THE PAST

My good friend, Holly, had a post on her blog today that had a photo of her and her husband back 25 years ago at our senior prom.  It brought back so many memories for me.  The lace gloves (Madonna), white nail polish, and air freshener garters (don't ask). I had to find a photo of Kevin and me the same night (however, I could not find a nice photo so the quality is a bit worn).   For fun, I added a couple others from those days of yore.


Here is my prom picture.  Please note the lace Madonna gloves and the lovely floral wreath in my hair.  Be nice - it was the 80's for crying out loud.  Yes, my dress was white - all white - looks like a wedding gown!  I think my mom paid about $15 for it - we bought it a year earlier on the clearance rack at Fashion Bug.  Now girls are paying $500 for gown and think nothing of it!  My how times have changed.

Here is a photo of me and another good friend, Dawnie.  I think we were having a picnic at Cook Forest State Park with our boyfriends.  Don't you love the hair????

This last photo is a picture of me and Holly at Dawnie's wedding.  I was having modesty issues with my dress as you can see my hand holding  the top shut.  I was several months pregnant and that dress was not maternity!  They had to do some altering for me before the wedding.  Funny how 5 years have gone by, but my hair was very much the same!

So, what do you remember about your prom or a special event from way back when?   I wonder what our children will laugh about in 20+ years when they look back on their prom/high school photos - hair styles/baggy pants on guys/super straight hair on the girls?????


Anyone else feeling old?

 

Just had to share

I had to share these photos - they are not the best quality, but I love them!  It always melts my  heart when I see young teens pay attention/play with small children, but nothing touches me more than seeing my own sons interact with their little brothers in a positive way.

 Tanner has no idea how much he impacts Levi's and Noah's lives.

OUTSIDE MY HOME

I have found that my motivation is about 85-90% affected by the weather!  This week has been absolutely gorgeous - sunny, warm, blue skies - beautiful weather!  As a result of the weather, I was so motivated to work outside.  Today, however, it is rainy and a bit cooler.  I'm not complaining about the rain - we really need it.  Yet, I feel like doing absolutely nothing today!  I guess I just need sunshine to be motivated - sounds like I need to move to Florida! 

Here are some of the things I did in my front yard this week:

W

We had a huge stump in our yard, so threw some dirt around it to make a mound.  It does not look like much work involved here, but believe me, it was - mulch to haul and spread, rocks to gather and place, and plants yet to be planted.  Lighthouse compliments of Dan's Outdoor Furniture - he's got some good stuff down there!


Some views of my porch:  the plants are small, but in a month, they will be lush and full.

 These dandelion stems are my enemies.  Two days after the yard has been mowed, they pop up and make the yard look bad.  I hate them - every last one!    BTW-yes, that is the kids' wading pool in the background - it was THAT warm yesterday!   I love love love summer.

Planting a garden

 
Well, we started putting the garden in this past weekend.  As much as I hate the work, I cannot deny the quality of taste in the vegetables, and I can't wait to eat the tomatoes, green beans, and peppers.  The boys love helping - the younger boys, not the older boys!

The little guys are never too busy to take a call from their Pennsylvania Pa pa!  (Does anyone remember what life was like before cell phones?)

 The older boys were at the Brewer's game in Milwaukee.  They won't pose for pictures anymore, so I have to get "action" shots.

We celebrated Ty's birthday Saturday night with steak on the grill, baked potatoes and of course, cake!  He tries so hard not to smile for his mother - but I know how to get him to laugh!  Like my clever saying on the cake?  I wanted to put "Herd you were having a birthday", but there was not enough room.

 
Do you notice the warm glow in these pictures?  I am using my new flash and "bouncing" the light from the ceiling!  What a difference it makes!   I LOVE MY NEW FLASH! 

So, any of you have your gardens in?  What's your favorite thing to grow?

SAVINGS

Things have been pretty routine around here - spring is a busy time for the furniture business.  On top of that, we have baseball games and planting garden.  I'm sure you are all feeling the same way.  How is spring busy for you?  

Today is story time at the library for the boys.   I also plan to stop at the grocery store(s).  I made my menu up, wrote down a grocery list, and printed off as many coupons as I could.  I thought I would share the website with you where I print my coupons from.  There are a lot I don't use, but the cereals are always a big savings!  Check it out!   It is called Coupon Mom.