{Uncle}

This cow and I both feel bad

Cold, I am tired of you. You win. It has been 4 weeks now and I don't know how to get rid of you. I have tried drowning you in a whole cartoon of OJ. I have taken long hot baths to try and suffocate you. I have tried fooling you and acting like I don't know you are around, but nothing works.
If I admit defeat will you disappear?

{Dear Oliver,}

You are officially driving me crazy. Nutso is the word that comes to mind. Oliver + Plastic Hat = Nutso dog. I'm so sorry you were un-manned and you now have to wear a plastic bonnet. I'm even sorrier that I can't take you on any walks or let you play outside for 10 days (I have already cheated). If you could just mellow out a little I think this might be easier for both of us.
Maybe you think we are punishing you because of the "chicken incident", i.e. catching a live chicken and prancing around the park with it (DROP IT OLIVER!) Or maybe you think we are punishing you because you snuck out of our yard three times the day before your "operation" and got stuck in the neighbors yard. But really, it wasn't for any of those reasons. It was mainly because you are mommy's first dog and the doggy birds and bees kind of freak me out.
You are a crazy dog, but we still love you.

{Snip Snip}

Someone's not a happy camper. More on poor Oliver's sad state tomorrow.

{I am Haunted by Waters}

I just finished re-reading this. I found it as lovely and heartbreaking as before. Although I'm a much more a fan of reading the book then watching the movie I'd still suggest watching this one.
Beautiful scenery and a young Brad Pitt make for some good viewing pleasure...really good viewing pleasure.

{Make Believe}

{Teacher for a Day}

A couple of weeks ago I got to experience what Scott does everyday. My friend Marianne is a photo teacher at a residential treatment for teenage girls. She asked me to come and speak about how I got started in the business and do a demonstration. I was super nervous about it, but it ended up being great. The girls were so excited and asked lots of great questions. It interesting to see myself through their eyes. It made me feel all grown-up. I received a Thank You card yesterday, and it was signed by all of the girls in the class.
My favorite was,
"Thank you so much for coming. Your advice helped me make a plan for my future."

Wow! I can see why people teach. What an amazing opportunity to be a positive influence. I was so happy that Marianne asked me. By the way, Marianne is a fabulous teacher. She goes all out and really cares about her students. They are getting a way better photo education then I ever did in high school. I want to come and take her cyanotype class again. It has been too long since I have done alternative photography.

{Uh Uh Uh}

Mountain biking is sooo sexy!
At least that is what Scott was told as he was riding his bike home from school.
Yes, that is right, Scott was asked out the other day by a complete stranger. I asked what she looked like, but he only said she had a nose ring. Apparently, that was the defining feature.
Sorry ladies, he's mine.

{A Little Love in My Heart}

{Easy Girls. Papa's fragile}

Poor Scott has been a little accident prone lately. First his kneecap came out of his socket during soccer practice (does this mean we are getting old) and then Oliver knocked him down the stairs--not on purpose. Scott thought he broke his tailbone, but we now think it is just bruised. For the first week after it happened Scott took a deep breath and cringed every time he sat down. Teaching must have been interesting.
This get well card is from our good friend Marianne (handmade). The message--so, so true.
By the way, I have really talented friends.

{Welcome Liam~Nephew #5}

My sister had her baby (3 weeks early!) on Monday. This makes nephew #5, and the second baby boy of the summer. So exciting. Liam weighed in 6 lbs, 8 oz. and was 19.5 inches long (my length at birth). This was Taryn's 2nd cesarean. She was hoping for a natural delivery and was disappointed. It is crazy how life works out though. It ended up being the best possible thing for her and the baby.
For those of you who didn't know, Taryn had a horrible delivery last time. The midwife wouldn't get the doctor for her, and she was in labor and pain for hours. Finally after many, many hours (most of which was without an epidural) the doctor did a C-section. This was back in Alaska.
When they were doing the C-section this time, the doctor told her that she was patched up all wrong and things were not put back to where they belonged. Not only that, but her uterus was damaged and was already close to rupturing. The doctor could see Liam's hair when they opened her up. If they had waited any longer for the c-section, or if Taryn had went full term, things could have been very bad for the baby and Taryn. Scary! The lame thing is, the doctor from the old hospital would never send her records. I guess we now know why. We are so lucky that Taryn went into labor early and had a very capable doctor this time who took great care of her and the baby. Everyone is healthy and we are so happy that all went well. I don't have any pictures yet, but I will post some as soon as they send them. I can't wait to meet baby Liam in November! Congratulations Taryn and Travis on bebe #2.