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Monthly Archives: February 2006

funny

K…finally have something funny. At least I think it is. Not fall-down laughing funny, but maybe a little smile, perhaps even a tiny snort funny. But maybe you had to be there. Either way, I want to remember it, so I’m writing it down.

Hairs So Franklin really loves to twist his hair when he’s relaxing. Always in the same spot, at the back of his head where the little swirly thing is. (No idea what that swirly thing is called…) He’s so cute when he does it. In this pic, he’s doing the double-handed hair twist. But usually he’s content with one-handed hair twisting.

Dave noticed yesterday that his hair is a little thinner there because of the constant pulling. (Not totally thin, he still looks fine, but still…)

According to Dave:

"Well, at least he has enough hair for a comb-over." :)

February 27, 2006 - 4:15 pm Kerri - I have two names for the swirly thing. A "cowlick" and a "whirlajig." Both my sons have them and they cause lovely "Dennis the Menace" style rooster-tails. I have one in the front that makes my bangs look weird if I don't blow dry and curl.

February 27, 2006 - 4:31 pm Maureen - LOL.....that is funny ;) My friend's daughter got her finger stuck. Sweet picture :)

February 27, 2006 - 6:15 pm stacy benintendi - that is SO funny. that thing is actually called a crown and in the front is a cowlick. my sweet boy is actualy "blessed" whith a double crown. this makes a hair style hard to find, i'm just glad that my girls don't have them.

February 27, 2006 - 7:02 pm joanna - That IS funny!!! Cole loves to twirl his hair, too, except that the spot isn't getting thinner...it's actually longer and more luxurious than the hair on the rest of his head. How does that happen???

February 27, 2006 - 9:52 pm Moriah Bettencourt - Alex used to do that when he was little too. He liked the sides of his hair though, he had 2 tin little bald patches for about a month & then suddenly he lost interest.

February 27, 2006 - 10:00 pm Jackie - Too cute! My 16 month old and 3 year old both love to do the hair twirl, and that is how they both fall asleep is by doing the hair twirl, but the only problem is that it is MY hair that they are twirling!

February 28, 2006 - 6:25 am april - LOL---that's such a man's way of looking at it! Too funny! :)

February 28, 2006 - 7:39 am Amy B-perumbula - My four year old has been doing that for a couple of years now. he actually did give himself quite the bald spot a few months ago.

February 28, 2006 - 8:14 am AmyG - :)

February 28, 2006 - 8:47 am Hilary Erickson - Spencer does the same thing... are we causing our kids nervousa?

February 28, 2006 - 8:49 am Allison K - hehehehehehehe! Thanks for the giggle today!

February 28, 2006 - 9:32 am MarilynH - My austin did the same thing!! thin spot and all! he is so cute, Shannon!

February 28, 2006 - 2:06 pm Sande - hahahahahaha!

February 28, 2006 - 8:56 pm Christie - This is funny...thanks for sharing!

March 6, 2006 - 7:04 pm doris - bwahahaha . . . solid humor. :D

Saturday Sickness

I have a "condition." Dave recently diagnosed it. And I must agree with his expert opinion. I have a major case of Saturday Sickness.

Symptoms include: well, mostly just grumpiness. I have noticed that it pretty much always takes the same course.

Saturday starts out with a bit of excitement. "TODAY is going to be different. Today is going to be really fun. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but it’s going to be fun. We’re going to hang out together and this is going to be pretty much the best day ever."

And as the day goes on, just turning out to be a normal day, or heaven forbid, BORING day, I begin to feel the sickness. I try to deny that it’s coming. Pretend like I’m cool sitting around the house while Dave works on another remodeling project. Try to be a good sport keeping the kids out of the way. Telling myself that I’m a team player, that this house is OUR house and he’s improving it and that I’m so happy and proud of him and excited to be one step closer to a lovely house. But with each whine and increase in mess, my resolve chips away. And by Saturday evening, if I’m cooking dinner instead of ordering it, I’m practically in tears.

Not sure what to do about it. And yesterday was a very mild case that ended up in falling asleep on the couch at 9 o’clock instead of crying. Could’ve been because the birthday party next door and the all-day bounce house babysitter that did the trick. Or the cupcakes. It was a good day. And I staved off the Saturday sickness for once. Since the diagnosis, I’ve been more able to treat the symptoms before they get out of hand. The real reason behind it is a bit of spoiled brat. And I’m trying to teach her a lesson, give her some discipline. And remind her that she’s going out of town BY HERSELF in a couple weeks. So that’s some pretty good medicine.

February 26, 2006 - 5:41 pm Hilary Erickson - Ok, nurse in the house. Rx (that means prescription -- FYI): Babysitter, every other Saturday... and a fun family activity on the other Saturday nights. I've decided I want to have people over for a BBQ more often. Kids playing the backyard, living the american dream, and then babysitter the other weekends. It's simple, but effective. :)

February 26, 2006 - 9:35 pm Alana M - I think you and I had the same Saturday Shannon...not a good day for me either. Hope things get better soon!

February 27, 2006 - 5:07 am Maureen - I get that too

February 27, 2006 - 6:11 am Julie - So where is the spoiled brat going? Come on....share your medicine. Some of us may need a prescription to it too.

February 27, 2006 - 7:30 am joanna - I think I have that, too! Mark always wants to say home and I always want to DO SOMETHING. Where are you going?? By yourself?? How fun!

February 27, 2006 - 8:37 am Sara - wow...I SO have that syndrome too. I never knew it had a name :) Thanks for the diagnosis...nice to know I am not the only one with this sickness :)

February 27, 2006 - 10:03 pm Jackie - I love your stories Shannon! Where are you going by yourself? And are you going to know what to do by yourself? ;-)

February 28, 2006 - 1:46 pm Crystal - I totally think I have that sickness sometimes--only mine doesn't only come on Saturdays.

July 26, 2008 - 3:55 pm on pokerstar - pokerstar pokerstars pokerstar on

uh

I need to write something funny today. Because I’ve gotten too serious. Boring.

Um…

You know…it’s really hard to be funny on command. It has to be a spontaneous kind of thing. Ok…well…never mind.

Have a great day today. We’re headed to the park. I’ll try to think of something funny. And when I do, I’ll let you know.

February 23, 2006 - 11:42 am Jill P. - You are always funny Shannon- in a good way though! Like I am laughing with you, not at you!! Love love love your "Perfect Fit" layout in the Garden, don't you just love when they fit like that!?!? Sammy always back up to me to sit down on my lap like that. I have to remember to have someone get me the camera next time! Hope the park was fun!

February 23, 2006 - 3:16 pm Jami - "Some nasty concoction that I had whipped up." Ha Ha. THAT made ME laugh!

February 23, 2006 - 3:58 pm Julie - You are always making me laugh too Shannon...because you are REAL and tell it like it is. And it is so refreshing and nice...and funny! Just like this post...funny. =)

February 23, 2006 - 8:24 pm Kelli Crowe - there is something refreshing about how you write...funny or not it entertains my brain and for me to focus on the written word for more than 2 minutes at a time.... now that's something kellicrowe

February 24, 2006 - 4:56 pm Hilary Erickson - Umm... real winner of an entry. :)

February 24, 2006 - 6:10 pm Sande - Hey, I like this kind of entry...kind of the real snapshot of your brain working...or not.

February 25, 2006 - 1:37 pm doris - hey! we went to the park today too! hope you had a blast and got some funny vibes while you were there . . . ok . . .maybe this isn't nice to say . . . but i mean it in the nicest way . . . your serious is even funny . . . always a good read at ramblings . . . :D

February 26, 2006 - 11:50 am kellicrowe - we watched Disney's The Kid last night. (Bruce Willis) One of his lines he said over and over was "somebody call the wambulance!" Made me think if you and a post from last month or so:) kellicrowe

One step closer…

So last night we were eating dinner, some nasty concoction that I had whipped up, when I remembered a radio ad I’d heard. "Hey Dave…did you know Western Appliance is having a big sale today? Maybe we should go check it out." So we did. 7 o’clock at night, we head over with all the kidlings in tow, to see if we could find some good deals on appliances we were going to have to buy anyway. Because our kitchen is in major need of remodel… See for yourself.Stoves Kitchens Original cabinets. And counters. And this house isn’t new…it’s 58 years old. 58 years of people touching them. And it wasn’t MY people touching them. I scrubbed and disinfected them when we moved in, but I still can barely stand the thought of my kitchen. I’m just biding my time until we can fix it. Oh yeah…did you notice the mirror behind the stove? No wonder I burn stuff…I get too busy checking myself out. And the fancy copper tiles? Yeah…talk about cool. And impossible to get grease off of. The dishwasher makes so much noise we scare people by turning it on. People outside. Sounds like a tank. In a blender. Over a stadium sound system. It’s bad. Really bad.

So anyway…we went to the appliance store and bought ourselves a stove, dishwasher, microwave and hood. We already had the fridge, bought it when we moved in. And we have the wood for the floor. Currently so handily used as a magazine rack, using up, um… a tiny bit of space in our lovely kitchen. I do clean this up when we have company, by the way. Move or at least stack the magazines and shine the boxes to a glimmering sheen.Woods You thought it was hard to keep countertops clean, try keeping boxes of wood clean. They absorb all sorts of stuff.

So. One step closer to having MY kitchen. Getting excited. And more than a little scared. Because for it to get better, it’s going to get much much much worse.

February 21, 2006 - 9:29 am Alana M - Fabulous! Nothing like a new kitchen to make you feel better. Brave of you to go with all the kids and I love your dishwasher description.

February 21, 2006 - 10:21 am Monica - Congrats on the appliances...I love Western (they used to have this catchy little song back in the 70's-80's). Can't wait to see the kitchen when it's done!

February 21, 2006 - 10:43 am Maureen - So awesome! I'm a wee bit jealous! We have lived in our home for 8 years and still, the same kitchen that was here....sigh.....one day :)

February 21, 2006 - 11:33 am Kathi - Hooray for you!!!

February 21, 2006 - 2:14 pm Sande - WooHoo! New appliances and it's not even Christmas! I would love a new fridge...a spanky new clean fridge!

February 21, 2006 - 4:33 pm tifsmith - yeah for you! i live in an old house too so i feel your pain, really feel it. except you atleast have cabinets that are now considered retro. my kitchen was remodeled in the very early 80's. ewwwww. we have painted and tiled, but i am still needing new cabinets. anyhow.....heres a tip for that grease on the copper tile - MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER!!!! - works like a charm.

February 21, 2006 - 6:44 pm Alison - you know...I also have an original kitchen. I'm gonna say about as old, but our house was built in 1905. it is disgusting. Nothing comes clean. Everything is caked with grease. DEAD people's dirt, I might add... as for living with piles of wood in your kitchen, fear not sister. I am your sister in crappy housedom. I share my bedroom with the new cabinets. Every morning, I roll over, smack the alarm, get up, and smack my toe on what will one day (here's to sooner than later...) be my spice rack. Congrats on the appliances though. We haven't gone there yet...

February 21, 2006 - 7:57 pm Rachel - yay for the new appliances! One day you'll gaze at your lovely brand new kitchen, and all these memories will (hopefully) fade away. :p R

February 21, 2006 - 8:14 pm joanna - well, everybody needs a magazine rack in the kitchen!! Plus mirrors, definitely! Sooo glad you got yourself some awesome new appliances!!

February 21, 2006 - 9:26 pm Leah LaMontagne - You'll have your dreamy kitchen someday...keep working at it!

February 21, 2006 - 9:51 pm Jami - Shannon- Just so you know, I love looking at your blog. Congrats on the new appliances! LUCKY!!

February 22, 2006 - 6:57 am Jackie - You crack me up Shannon! There is nothing like a new kitchen! That is where I spend 90% of my day, so a nice kitchen is high on my priority list!

February 22, 2006 - 7:32 am marygrace - We just finished going through a kitchen remodel. Exciting stuff. The place is exactly how I want it now. Almost makes me want to cook. Almost. :o)

February 22, 2006 - 8:23 am Julie - How exciting! Except for the "it gets worse before it gets better" part! Can't wait to see updated photos!

February 22, 2006 - 8:38 am Katrine - How exciting! It will feel like a new house. Congrats!

February 22, 2006 - 2:29 pm jen paddack-hyde - I swear I have the twin kitchen to yours...those are so our cabinets. we rent though so can't get rid of them unfortunately...but I totally get you on the not being able to get them clean...ever!

February 22, 2006 - 3:04 pm doris sander - congratulations on the new kitchen coming your way . . . and thanks for another great read . . . :D

February 22, 2006 - 7:27 pm AmyG - very exciting. it's going to be great when you guys get it done! :)

February 22, 2006 - 9:24 pm Layne - I can't believe that Dave LETS you leave the kitchen to do scrapbooking and photos. You're lucky.

February 23, 2006 - 7:14 am Jessi - You crack me up!

February 23, 2006 - 12:41 pm Amy B - This is hilarious because a new kitchen has been consuming my every breath for the last few months. We've talked about it since the moment we moved into our house almost four years ago. When we moved I painted the cabinets and after 3 different colors slapped on there we found one we could live with and the countertops are covered in liner paper. Yes that would be drawer liner paper on my counters. Believe me it looks a million times better that what's underneath. My husband has taken on a large side job at night and weekends and the money has been designated for the new kitchen only. It's taking up loads of quality time right now but when he calls to say he's going to be really late I just say "It's okay, new kitchen".

February 24, 2006 - 4:55 pm Hilary Erickson - WOO HOOO... so, are oyu gonna install the appliances beofre doing new caibnets? Or are they sitting in your garage?

Good advice.

Thanks for all the canker advise! I was hoping I’d get some when I wrote that post.

I’ve been away from the bloggy for six days, apparently. Probably because I didn’t want to come on and post another complainy post. Because the day after the canker post I totally pinched a nerve in my neck and it laid me out for a couple days (talk about a happy Valentine’s day…). I could barely move. It was not fun. But then again, it was. Because it was a great excuse to lay on the couch with a heating pad and a good book. It gave me (and everyone else in the family) an appreciation of how much I do around here and how quickly things fall apart when I’m not trying desperately to hold things together. :)

But I’m feeling much better now. And the cankers are slowly improving. And I’ve got some stuff to try from now on. So thank you, internet, for all the good advice. :)

February 19, 2006 - 5:37 pm Julie - Sorry to hear about your neck Shannon. I hope you are feeling better soon and the cankers go away!

February 19, 2006 - 8:23 pm Danita - When you are down and out like that, you should always call your mother. She will give you sympathy and love.

February 20, 2006 - 1:26 pm Tammy - You go girl!...laying on that couch with a good book! It is true...how things fall apart when we're "broken" or sick! Hope things are better for you this week though! Blessings!

February 24, 2006 - 4:53 pm Hilary Erickson - k, let me know what works. We canker s gotta stick together. :)

5 Cankers

I have five cankers. Just on my tongue. And another one on my lip. What the heck?

I can barely talk or eat. It stinks (so does my breath). I don’t know why I get these. Could be food. Could be hormones.

I’ve changed my toothpaste, that seems to help. Or at least I live to HOPE it does.

I’ve always gotten them. But THIS…this is bad.

I like to think of it as forced dieting and quiet reflection…seeing the silver lining. :)

February 13, 2006 - 3:48 pm Rachel - eat celery. Lots of it! works like a charm :)

February 13, 2006 - 3:49 pm Julie - Well, at least you can see a bright side to all of it! I hope they get better soon!

February 13, 2006 - 4:44 pm doris - ewwwwwwwwwwwwww . . . bummer. hope they magically vanish in the night. :D

February 13, 2006 - 5:06 pm AmyG - ouch....no fun. hope they leave quickly.

February 13, 2006 - 5:31 pm Amber Grumbles - It smells horrible. It works though. Tree Tea Oil. My hubby uses it but I make him sleep on the couch!! LOL Those things are awful! Hope they go away soon! Amber

February 13, 2006 - 5:32 pm Amy - dude...my husband gets them BAD too... he went to a dental surgeon who told him that acidic foods (the same ones that cause heartburn) and specifically fruits...can cause outbreaks. so maybe try that? i dunno... good luck..i know they suck!!

February 13, 2006 - 7:33 pm joanna - Too many sour skittles??

February 14, 2006 - 7:37 am sara - sorry to dish out advice, but *call your dentist*! they can give you a perscription for some amazing gel that rids you of all cankers. no kidding! i HATE cankers. :(

February 14, 2006 - 7:47 am Kirsten - Ouch! My son deals with those devils, too. The toothpaste is supposed to help, but sometimes there seems to be no reason. When my mom had chemo, her acupuncturist had her put pure aloe on any mouth sores and they healed magically. You can rinse and spit, or daub some on. Get it at the health food store and give it a try.

February 14, 2006 - 8:03 am Mindy - Shannon, that stinks. Steve and the guys went to Grand Targhee last weekend and they all lamented over their cankers. Must be a Caldwell thing for sure! I was hoping our kids wouldn't carry on the tradition, but Rachel has already had several. Do your kids get them? Anyway, I'm a big baby when I get a tiny one once a year. Hang in there!

February 14, 2006 - 8:59 am Hilary Erickson - Uh huh... quiet reflection. I see THAT happening. :) Good luck getting rid of them. Hilary

February 14, 2006 - 3:25 pm christinew - OUCH! I hope they heal quickly.

February 14, 2006 - 4:16 pm Michelle M - To prevent them take L-Lysine daily. You can find it in the vitamen section. Not sure why but it works.

February 14, 2006 - 8:57 pm MarilynH - Shannon, i get them all the time, too. monthly, I swear!. When I get one it turns into two, then more. The wave takes weeks to pass. hate it. hate it. I have no advice but I am taking notes on what others have suggested.

February 15, 2006 - 9:15 am Shannon Taylor - Maybe it's a Shannon thing. hee hee hee! I can soooooooo relate!! i get them all the time too. I have three right now. They seem to get worse when I get colds too. ARGH!!! I feel your pain sista! Shannon T.

February 15, 2006 - 6:57 pm Alison - dude..that just sucks. now go swish with something. I had a teacher in elementary school (5th grade, I think...) who used to say that if you made out with the wrong person, you'd get canker sores. not sure how she came to think this the correct way to keep us from making out, but it worked.

February 16, 2006 - 10:10 am Dawn - ouch. been there. blogged about it recently even lol...the ones on the tongue are the worst too. i got several on each side of my tongue so that they rubbed agianst my teeth when i did so much as swallow.

February 16, 2006 - 1:58 pm gabby almejo-garza - ouch...try squirting lemon juice...sike..just kidding....lol. you poor thing...hope you feel (& smell) better soon. g

February 16, 2006 - 7:08 pm kent - I just got Matt that toothpaste you recommended. He has a huge one right now. I wish there was a cure!

February 17, 2006 - 5:57 pm Lisa - I am the Queen Mother of canker sores. My son got 2-3 huge ones every month until we started him on Proboitics. He lost weight from not eating and had to visit the dentist every 2 months for additional cleaning. You can get children's chewables at most healthfood stores. They contain just the good bacteria (in higher quantities than yogurt) and restore balance and pH levels in the mouth. There is some evidence that cankers, like cold sores, are viral. The good bacteria keep the virus in check. Certain things can trigger outbreaks. For my son, it is citrus fruit, too much chocolate, gel toothpaste (huge contributor) or any cut in the mouth, like biting the side of his mouth. Good luck! I'd be happy to provide more information if you need. Just email me.

February 17, 2006 - 10:54 pm Emily Kate - I take L-Lysine and rinse with salt water a couple of times a day when I have this happen. Usually clears up in a day or two! Good luck!

February 19, 2006 - 1:22 pm tifsmith - you still have those cankers. gee. its been like 5 days now. :)

February 20, 2006 - 6:23 pm kimberly lough - Shannon-the parallels in our lives sometimes scare me! I'm just a fellow 2p-er who reads your blog because you are too funny. I'm sitting here with 4 cold sores on my lips! I was told by my doctor that the virus lives in the back of your jaw and comes forward when you have stressors (mine are-my period, sickness, sunburn-basically life!). Gross, I know. I've always said I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. When I feel the "tingling", I take a prescription Valtrex and then it doesn't grow very big. But if I miss the "tingling" in the middle of the night, I'm doomed! They say you can take Valtrex daily as a preventative, but I'm just not that disciplined. Hope my rambling helped.

Adorable

I waited to post these until Layne and Jami got the proof book, but wanted to share a couple pics of my adorable nephew Trenton. T3_1

T1 T4_1

But this one is my favorite. (I’m so bad…)

T5_1 He looks so innocent…yet….

February 10, 2006 - 3:45 pm Hilary Erickson - s love to flip the bird. That's what is so great about them. :)

February 10, 2006 - 4:25 pm jami - What a cute kid:)

February 10, 2006 - 5:52 pm Kathi - Shannon you're a nut. Adorable baby! Hilary - who do you flip the bird to?

February 10, 2006 - 6:21 pm joanna - Heee heee!! So funny! Too cute!!

February 10, 2006 - 7:16 pm Lu - very nice pics!!!

February 10, 2006 - 7:20 pm Jennie - I think he's telling you you are done taking pictures!

February 10, 2006 - 10:47 pm Lara - Chloe used to flip me off the entire time she was nursing. I would even move her fingers and she'd go right back... adorable pictures.

February 11, 2006 - 6:41 am Julie - HA! What is it about babies and the middle finger? How funny! Great photos too Shannon! Just gorgeous.

February 11, 2006 - 3:42 pm doris - omg . . . you never cease to CRACK ME UP! :D :D :D

February 11, 2006 - 4:20 pm Missy_G - Too funny... he is a cutie. Great pictures! Have a great day!

February 12, 2006 - 1:22 pm kent - You are so funny. You have to put that in the proof book which that caption!

February 12, 2006 - 2:35 pm Rachel - awesome pics Shannon. Adorable!

February 13, 2006 - 4:21 am Sande Krieger - Oh, Shannon, that's hysterical! Love your lead up with...He looks so innocent and yet..! Great shots!

February 13, 2006 - 11:38 am AmyG - so adorable!

February 14, 2006 - 9:09 am jamie - awesome job, shannon! he is adorable!

February 16, 2006 - 2:00 pm gabby almejo-garza - great pics....so precious!! guess this kiddo is prepared for when he's driving down the street and someone cuts him off....flippin' shhweet! g

February 19, 2006 - 2:16 pm traci - These are so cute!!

February 22, 2006 - 6:55 am Jackie - LOL!!! SO cute!!

Luxury

Getting the car detailed. Wow. Feels so nice and clean and beautiful. Especially since it hasn’t been done in…I don’t know how long. At least before Christmas, when all six of us spent a lovely 26 or so hours driving to Utah and back. So I’ve been living with the aftermath of a roadtrip for a month and a half…it’s nice to finally get that off my back. Standing Ovation to having a clean car and not having to break my back doing it!!!

February 9, 2006 - 4:10 pm Julie - I love it when my Tahoe gets detailed. I feel so powerful or something. =)

February 9, 2006 - 4:30 pm Sande Krieger - Clean cars rock! Especially when you don't have to clean them yourself! Clean toilets rock! Especially when you don't have to clean them yourself!

February 9, 2006 - 4:39 pm kent - I htink wanting clean cars has to do with the weather getting better. My car needs to be done!

February 10, 2006 - 12:27 pm Kelli Crowe - yeah my van was jus totalled and i thought hey at least i don't have to figure out how to get the rest of chick fil a off the back seat or the chocolate milk of the cieling this wasn't my first thought but it was like the third thing i thought of.... kellicrowe still without a vehicle....

February 10, 2006 - 1:17 pm gabby almejo-garza - yeah for clean cars!! sometimes i wonder when i pull up to a carwash, "they're going to think i'm a total pig." then when it's time to claim my van i almost want to cover my face with a paper bag cuz i know they're probably talking about me. yup - gabby and the filthiest min-van in the world. it seems that the bigger the car, the more cr^p you can accumulate in it. the worst thing is i can't even blame it on the kiddo because most of the mess is mine...yikes. - gabby

February 10, 2006 - 1:54 pm teresa - oh yeah---I'm with you on that one. Having my SUV detailed rates right up there with pedicures....well...almost. :)

February 10, 2006 - 3:43 pm Hilary Erickson - seriously? Cleaning your car breaks your back? BUT, there is nothin' sweeter.

Journey

Today I spent some more time wandering aimlessly around the internet. Again. :) This time I was on a bunch of artist’s blogs. It made me so inspired. Not on any certain project in particular, but as a whole. Several of them talked about how art is just letting go and expressing yourself. Not worrying about how it will be percieved but about how well it portrays the emotion or message. One in particular (I don’t remember who it was, as the aimless path I took would probably be impossible to navigate again) said she had a goal to have the confidence to proclaim herself an artist. And believe it. That is exactly how I feel about photography. I want to just accept myself and encourage myself and nurture my creative self.

I realized that in recent months I’ve been really backing away from photography. Out of fear. And I couldn’t figure out why. I realize now that it was because of the business side of the whole deal. The selling of prints, the ordering and assembling of proof books, but most of all, the delivering of the proof book and waiting there as customers decide. Now, I know it’s better business to have a proof book. And to have an appointment for customers to decide on pictures. But I hate waiting to see how they perceive it and feel like pressuring them to order. I know. It’s business. That’s how it’s done. But I really just don’t have energy for a business on top of all of my more important responsibilities.

Then it occured to me today. I’m really not in this for the money. I’m not in it to maximize profits. I need to charge enough to be taken seriously, to make it worth my time, but that isn’t my motivation. I can drop the sales experience, the appointments, the pressure. I still want to take pictures. I still love providing the product. But I’m going to just do online proofing and ordering. Even if it means sales go down. The whole idea of just doing it my own way has been really freeing to me. And I can even sell the digital negatives if I want. Even if it’s not that good for "business". I’ve been hiding. Trying to avoid the monster that is a small business. I don’t want it to grow bigger than I can handle. But I’m feeling better about it now. I know I can take good pictures. I enjoyed updating my portfolio a bit. Feeling more confident in this thing I started but didn’t want to finish, this business I gave birth to but wanted to starve and let die. I can handle this. My way.Cardflatweb_1

February 7, 2006 - 11:21 pm Tammy - You go girlfriend! It's your business, do it your way! There! You're free to be the awesome you, you are!

February 8, 2006 - 9:29 am Jessi - It's *your* business - run it ANYWAY you want to! That's the beauty of it!!!!!! :) I don't think there is a 'wrong' or a 'right' way.......wishing you the best of luck! :)

February 8, 2006 - 12:05 pm kate - Wow! I've been dealing with the same issues myself!! I'm so glad to see that you're paving your own way, and I hope you'll post more about how you decide to operate - I'd love to hear your ideas!!

February 8, 2006 - 6:52 pm Sande Krieger - You go girl! That's the way to do it...however it fits into your life, and into your philosophy! It should be fun! It should be exciting!

February 9, 2006 - 5:53 am Julie - Say it girl! You rock!

February 9, 2006 - 6:30 am Jamie - funny, I haven't read your blog in at least a month and I stumbled across it today with the perfect post! I am right where you are...well, ok, i haven't actually started yet but the whole business part was totally wigging me out! I have 3 kids, I want to be a stay at home mom...i'm not looking for a full time business. I wanted to sell my images on cd and not mess with prints because that works best for me, but I was worried because everyone says it's such a bad thing...but then I decided that is what works best for and that's what I want to do. Good Luck! I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

February 9, 2006 - 9:24 am Alana M - Get out! I had no idea you even did professional photography. I need someone to take some decent pictures of my family. Can you email me?

February 9, 2006 - 3:35 pm jami - We got the pictures that you took for us today. They turned out SOOO good!!! Thank you!!!

February 10, 2006 - 12:25 pm Kelli Crowe - i messed around a tiny tiny bit with painting children's furniture i was buying paints one day and the guys stocking the shelves said "are you an artist?" i said "yes" i think i was walking on air for days because i said it out loud out loud i looked thru your pics they ae so super love that for your business but also for you kids that has to be a huge thing as a kid to hav epics of yourself that capture you your cuteness your youness kellicrowe

February 20, 2006 - 1:10 pm tara pollard pakosta - good for yOU! that is just why i sell the CD, i dont have time to be messing with prints! waste of time! in my opinion....i have been doing it for over a year now and i LOvE IT! it's so freeing! glad to see you follow a dream ! tara

Rambling…

So this morning as I was wandering aimlessly around the internet, I happened upon a couple essays where first, someone was saying what they missed about their pre-kid life and then someone saying what they don’t miss about the pre-kid life.

That got me thinking. I don’t think there is really much I miss. It seems like anything I could look back on and miss is something I didn’t appreciate when I had it before. For example, trips to the grocery store alone. Now, a total luxury and an enjoyable time. Before, it was just a chore. Sunday naps. I enjoyed them before, but not to the extent I do now. What I guess I’m getting at, is that having kids has made everything seem sweeter and more precious than it was when I only had myself to worry about. I appreciate things now in a way I didn’t then.

Since I got married and had kids young, I keep wrapped up in a secret place in my heart, the other path. The one I would be on right now had I not taken the path I did. The one where I went to Europe with my dance group. The one where I started a career. The one where I had enough money to buy fancy clothes and buy nice furniture because I only had to spend money on myself. I pull out the other path to admire it once in a while, to use it as a little break from my reality. But truth is, that other path probably wouldn’t have been as lovely as I like to imagine. I know for a fact had I gone to Europe with the dance group, I would’ve been stuck wearing matching clothes. That is NOT the way I want to see Europe, parading around like kindergartners on a field trip. And the career I had planned was teaching. Something I now realize I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed. And as far as the money and clothing…let’s see…as a teacher I wouldn’t have a lot to begin with, and we all know how teachers tend to dress…and that’s worse than I dress now. (No offense, teachers, but you know what I’m talking about…fruit-themed clothing…)

So the cool thing is, kids have helped me appreciate the little things. The cute little karate chop action, the quiet time during naps, the candy I successfully snuck behind their backs so I wouldn’t have to share. All really great things. A nap on Sunday went from being a luxury to being a miracle worthy of tears and hallelujahs. Of course, along with this are a lot of difficult things, but somehow the joy I get from the other things overshadows the ugly parts. Usually.

And one more thing. People keep telling me that because I had my kids young I can be done sooner and have my life to myself again at a younger age. That I can then travel the world with my husband while we’re still young enough to walk unassisted. That never really did it for me. It didn’t really seem that cool, like a good enough reason to forgo the other path sooner rather than later. But the best reason of all occurred to me recently. I’ll get MORE TIME. More time to spend with my kids. I’ll get more time to spend with my grandkids. I’ll most likely even get to know my great-grandkids. I’d way rather trade my twenties living alone and doing things selfishly for my seventies filled with family. For the opportunity to get to know people that I wouldn’t meet if my life-span reached an end before theirs began. That I could watch a little family member grow for 10 years longer than I might’ve if I’d started later in life. That’s just really really cool to me.

February 3, 2006 - 6:23 pm Katrina - Very well said. I was lucky enough to know my great grandmother very, very well...and...how cool is this?....she lived to meet MY kids. I'm sure in part b/c my Mom had me at 20, and I had my first at 21. I hope I'm lucky enough to meet my great-great-grandkids.

February 3, 2006 - 6:30 pm AmyG - Shannon - i love your perspective. I never thought of it that way....but that family filled like in our 70's is going to be awesome! :)

February 3, 2006 - 10:28 pm Tammy - AMEN! Shannon, we so have kindred hearts! I would've had kids at 20 too but didn't meet "my guy" till I was 26, but we had our first of five 1 1/2 years later, with no regrets! We really must have tea sometime...like iced chai latte! Kids are the hardest. most wonderful-est thing ever in life! Wouldn't trade it for nothing! But the hard times come in the "package", just so you realize that up front. Naps...a national treasure in my book! I SO save a special "treat" when they aren't looking too! My current craze? Chocolate chip cookies! Thanks for sharing your heart! I so love that about your scrapbook layouts as well! Blessings!

February 4, 2006 - 5:45 am joanna - : ) You're the best!

February 4, 2006 - 1:16 pm Hilary Erickson - A) You could totally die young -- not sure I would keep that as your "reason" B) Without the adversity you never know the peace. I believe I've heard that somewhere. C) I couldn't agree more D) Where are you, I haven't seen you on AIM?

February 4, 2006 - 1:48 pm Nikki - Shannon, I totally stalk your blog and I just wanted to let you know that your post means the world to me. My husband and I had our twins at 22 and our "baby" at 25 and everyone looks down at me that I wasted my twenties. Thank you for sharing and helping me feel even better about the decisions we made.

February 4, 2006 - 10:12 pm tifsmith - :) that's all, just a :)

February 5, 2006 - 5:16 am Jill P. - So true Shannon! My parents had me at 20 and you can bet that they truly enjoy having their first grandson at 47, when they can still get down and wrestle with him and take him to the park and enjoy all things grandparent with him. I like the young parent path myself, and only wish I had been able to do it sooner!!

February 5, 2006 - 2:11 pm Susan - Sometimes we all need reminding - thank you for such a great personal piece. We had one of those days, when the screaming and fighting and tantrums ran from 6.30am till 6.30pm. Finally tucking my 3 year old in bed, I got an unexprected arms around the neck embrace, two big serious brown eyes connected with mine and a little voice spoke up in the dark 'mama I love that you love us, even when we are not being very nice' One sentance, one passionate embrace, 12 hours of chaos erased. I love that those utterly self centred days are behind me.

February 5, 2006 - 10:35 pm Amy Sorensen - (I clicked onto your blog from Sophia's.) I SO get your "other path" idea. I do this, too. I think that it maybe doesn't matter WHAT way you choose...had you taken your trip to Europe and everything else on the other path, you would have been wondering about how it could have been had you married & had kids earlier. There are so many things we can do with our lives that sometimes the ONE path we choose feels like not enough, I guess. My sister is 37 and will be a grandma next month. She's a bit freaked out, but honestly, how cool is it that she'll have so much time with her granddaughter? That her granddaughter will remember her as young, unwrinkled, with brown hair instead of grey? Being a young mom will have lifetime rewards I think!

February 6, 2006 - 6:34 pm traci - "But the best reason of all occurred to me recently. I'll get MORE TIME." I never even thought of that--that is SO AWESOME. Seriously. The best argument I've ever heard for being a young mom. (And a young grandmother...and great-grandmother...) You rock. :)

February 7, 2006 - 2:53 pm Julie - You said that so perfectly! I totally agree with you!

February 8, 2006 - 4:03 pm julie k - such a cool twist on that "grass is always greener" thought! thanks for sharing! :)

February 10, 2006 - 10:08 am Alison - This totally spoke to me, dude. Couldn't have said it better myself. I guess I had never admitted, even to myself, that I dream about the same "other path", but always come away from it (after a few hours, when it is nap time and I can eat peanut butter cups on the couch OUT OF THE BAG)thinking that this is all much better. Go you. Go me. Go peanut butter cups!

February 10, 2006 - 11:22 am Kelli Crowe - dude you rock i read this and remember not that i forgot why i like you so much why your blog makes me smile i love the having had kids early thing i think i got to have kids before i ever grew up myself before i was ever ready sometimes i feel like we are groing up together and my parents are lovng be acitve grandparents glad i was able to give that to them kellicrowe