Summertime, Summertime, Sum Sum, Summertime...

Your calendar may still say spring but here in Texas it's summer! We've had our first full week of 90 degree temperatures and our lows have only been around the upper 70's. That's a record high for a low. Or a record low as a high... I'm confused. Anyway it's hot! I've been too lazy to break out the blow up pool so the hose and sprinkler have been getting a work out. Munchkin much prefers playing with the actual hose than the sprinkler so I decided to put him to work.

"That's right, you're doing a fine job," I say as I sit on the porch and sip my iced tea.

Let's focus here. Water plants... not shoes.

"When you're done can you get me another iced tea?"

He takes his watering very seriously.

Just so you know that I'm not all bad, I let the little guy have some fun with our homemade waterslide.

Checking it out first.

Cowabunga!

Success!

Did I mention it's hot here?

My New Gig

Since I often find myself struggling to find something interesting to blog about I decided to up and get a job. Let's just ignore the fact that I've got about a dozen "drafts" all half-written and completely boring waiting just below the surface of blogland. But anyway, I thought I'd actually DO something interesting and then I'd get to blog about it. (Gee after all this hype I hope it's worth it.)

Now my sister decided to get a job too. I'm not sure who got theirs first, but since she's the oldest and she can probably still beat me up I'll say it was her. What is that you say? "Doesn't my sister already have a job as a high paid elementary school teacher and thus lives in her mansion upon the high hill of the land?" you ask. Uhm sort of. "Why would your sister want to spend her summers making more money waiting tables in the land of plenty?" you ask. Beats me but this post isn't about her, it's about ME and MY new job. Sorry sis, get your own blog.

Now for those of you wondering (all two of you) yes, I'm still going to stay at home with my little munchkin, it's not like I decided to wait tables or something. And I'm sure all of the diners out there are thanking their timely refilled drinks right about now. But I'm in the food service business sort of. A friend of mine runs a Joy of Connecting thingy (technical term) out of her home. About twice a month she invites women of the community who own their own business into her home to network with other women. It really is a beautiful thing. It's women rallying together to help each other and get their businesses off the ground. It's not quite as touching as one of those Hallmark commericals but it still gets you right here.

Basically she has hired myself and a couple of other moms to help prepare and serve food during these events. So for about 5 hours I cook, clean, serve, and help out wherever possible. Kind of like being at home. And also like home I get to eat this yummy food we have prepared once everyone else has been served and taken care of. Gosh who knew I could get paid for that?! Then for a couple of hours the ladies take turns yacking (technical term) about their business and what they do. So far I've met a masseuse, yoga instructor, hardwood floor installer, several photographers, caterer, makeup artist, dog groomer, and a personal life coach (whatever that is). My life will be complete once I meet that doggy life coach/makeup artist.

Oh and the best part. I get paid. Paid pretty well for 5 hours of doing stuff I would/should be doing at home. Of course did those things magically get done here at my house? Well no, but munchkin looked well fed and he was fast asleep when I got home so that's all I can ask.

Wordless Wednesday: Show Off

Found this little fella sunbathing on my windowsill. Ain't he cute?

Fore more Wordless Wednesday fun check out here and here.

You Can Stop Voting Now

Thanks to all who have voted for my Kroger bag. I just read the fine print in the contest and in order for my submission to even be considered I would have to place in the top ten in terms of most votes. I have 15 votes. Pretty good, huh? I just checked the current standing and I would need to find a few thousand friends fast in order to even come close before the contest ends. Number ten currently stands with 8,743 votes. Ron O. in Alabama has 36,366 votes. Wow, he's one popular guy. Think he's got any friends he'd be willing to loan me? Or perhaps share his secret method of voting for himself on multiple computers? I think my library only has about a dozen computers and frankly I just don't have the time and energy to cheat.

Oh well, at least I'll get my free bag. That is if I can ever find one in the store. Maybe Ron O. sent his buddies out to collect them all.

Oh and yes, that Iris was one of the ones that bloomed in my front yard. Pretty isn't it?

A Work of Art

I recently shared my bluebonnet photos on a local mom's board and was contacted by a fellow member. Christine, whom I had never met asked me if she could digitally paint one of my photos. Christine is extremely talented and I believe, truly has an eye for art. On her site JAZ Creations she shows off some of what she calls "Fractal Art" I'm not quite sure what it is, but I've never seen anything like it. It's kind of earthy and yet outer-worldly but it is all beautiful. She's now trying her hand at digital painting and wanted to practice on one of my photos. She was so sweet that she updated me as she went along in the process. (Which didn't take as long as I thought it would.) It was truly amazing to watch my not-so-special photo take shape into something so magnificent. Take a look at what she did.

Before

After

What do you think? I think she can stop practicing now, I think it's absolutely stunning. Aren't I lucky that she picked my photo to paint? I plan to have this printed to canvas and put it on display. Soon she'll be adding this portrait to her website as she'll be offering digital painting to all you other lucky people. So if you are interested in having a photo digitally painted, Christine is your woman.

Frugal Friday: Help Me Win a $500 Gift Card

I know what you are thinking. How does helping me win $500 help you save money? I'll get to that, I promise. First, I'm going to have to beg for a minute. Kroger is giving away a $500 gift card and you can help me win! I designed my own Kroger bag and in order to be considered for the $500 gift card, I need your votes. You can check it out here. Or go here, and type in the number 23521 in the search field. You can also go here to design your own bag and here is where the frugal part for you comes in. You'll receive a FREE reusable Kroger shopping bag when you design your own and register your Kroger card. How cool is that? Saving money and the environment, that's a deal! Of course it might hurt my feelings a little if you then wanted to vote for your own bag and not mine. But I'll get over it, I promise.

Here is the image I used in my design of my bag, in case you want to see a better version of it. It doesn't show up very well on the Kroger site.

Ok, so now go vote! Pretty please?

The Hills Are Alive With... Bluebonnets

It's that time of year. Time for thunderstorms, taxes, and the NBA Playoffs. Also time for Texans to precariously perch along the sides of busy highways to traipse their children through knee high grass to get that coveted picture of the Texas state wildflower. Bluebonnets. Fortunately, we didn't have to risk our lives for these photos. We found a lovely abandoned lot off the main trail in Denton for these beauties. You might have seen a sneak peek in my Wordless Wednesday yesterday, but I now present the rest for your enjoyment.

Standing amongst them

Found a ladybug.

Running

Lots of running.

And I shall run until I can run no more.

This is when earth tilted on it's axis and we all went sideways.

What? You didn't feel that? Ok, just kidding, I don't know what happened, but I take good pictures on accident, don't I?

Bluebonnets are fun! (I'm running out of comments.)

Not a bluebonnet but I thought the DOF was neat.

Actually, I was just checking to see if he had clean fingernails. Phew! All good!

I actually had a request from Tokyo for a close-up of a bluebonnet, so here you go, lulu.

Ain't it purdy? All us Texans talk like that, ya know?