It's All About Baseball

Couple of things...I finally broke down and now have a new digital camera to use in the factory. I am learning the new thing...keep in mind...I like reading manuals about as much as I like doing computer stuff. I don't...so, a little frustration here and there, but at least I won't break my thumb trying to hold the battery holder down, since the little spring on my last camera broke. My old camera I think was a 3 mega pixel, if that tells you anything...it's been awhile.

Now, on to baseball....my family is consumed with the sport right now...my son earned a spot on the All-Star "B" team...and once he did, my husband offered to coach post season as well. (We just finished his 2nd season of coaching minor league, Cal Ripkin program...I know way too much) It wasn't until a few years ago did I learn really how baseball talented my husband is. I knew he ate, slept and drank baseball his entire life...from young until about 4 years before he met me...you see, during a 96 mph pitch, he threw his elbow out on the mound...walked off and never looked back...I did not know that at 18, he was drafted to play major league baseball (the Dodgers)...he is not one to brag...so I will for him. I did not know him in that life...we met as young adults, after college...and after his career took a screeching halt.

So, now, as a coach, I see his knowledge being poured onto our sweet 10 year old son...I guess it's a little about reliving his boyhood...yet, the approach he is taking with our son...is definitely not the route he went. We do not LIVE at the baseball field. We don't have a career that lends that way of life for us...(sometimes I think it would be much simpler if we did have 9 to 5 jobs...)...(I still wouldn't change a thing)...that being said...the growth that we have seen our son take...is like leaps and bounds...and how proud we, as parents, are to see him blossom ... it should be all about having "fun"...yet, any baseball parent will tell you ... the politics is way more than that...I guess any sport...the politics gets dicey.

Fate ended my husbands career in baseball, but if not for fate...he and I would never have met...and our 2 beautiful children would never have come to be...

The pictures I have posted for you...are 2 of the very first creations I ever did with stamping. I'm almost 100% positive that I semi-cased the first card a long long time ago off of SplitCoast Stampers. (The saying) In the beginning, I perused SS for hours (when I learned about it)...until I got brave enough to start stamping w/o a plan! Creating is one of those things for me...that I just have "DO IT"...kwim?

The other card..literally is the first card I ever watercolored, and probably the first card I ever made. I've been in gift / chocolate design now for 25 years...and scrapbooking for about 12-13...but stamping probably only 7 or so (my style has really changed in the last 7)...which makes these precious little signatures on here from my daughter about 4 years old and her baby brother 2-1/2. This was one of the first SU sets I bought, and I have cherished it. The "thank you" card...was one that I made for my nephew to give to his sponsers.......wow...for a girl (me) who grew up on the farm, never ever watched a game of baseball in her life until I met my husband...I sure have it all around me now!

Tonight: Game ONE for dear son...of his post season...

I (heart) Baseball!

Trudi

Bah Humbug!

So, I flaked on last month's Christmas card...I wonder if it is even possible that I get one done before Monday. We'll see....I do have my RAKS almost ready to mail...first things first! (baby steps)

I'm having to get tunnel visioned with our holiday stuff...we are in a show in Las Vegas this September, targeted towards resort gift shops and touristy places. We have been planning for a couple of months now, and while business is slow...I need to work on it...just don't have that motivation, and every thing I do, seems to require a computer...something I really am not that savvy with...(baby steps again)....this show will be 100% new to us...for the last 25 years, we have attended tradeshows targeted towards Gift Basket Businesses and Gift Shops....we needed to be a bit proactive, however...the world is changing...all we need is one large customer and it will be worth it. If we don't manage that...then, at least we are in a fun place trying!

Hang in there, I tell myself...now, back to work!

Trudi

MIA

Hope sis doesn't mind...I did not crop this either, so her fingers are in the picture...this is one that she designed for our nephew's graduation. She has one up on me...I'm such a sheepdog...I haven't had the energy to even make a card for my nephew who just graduated from WSU and is on his way to Disney University!!!!! Not sure what has happened to me in the last month...my adrenilen dissapated (not sure of spelling on either of those 2 words...sunburnt, tired and sick...I'm not going to check it out either! so there!)...anyhow...

I have flaked on my resolution to make an XMAS card for May...I could have ventured into my studio today...but...here has been the way my life has been:

1. Volleyball Tournament: THIS WAS HUGE...180 TEAMS IN THE HUSKYDOME, SEATTLE...wow is all I can say

2. BASEBALL
3. BASEBALL
4. BASEBALL
5. BASEBALL

6. Ear infection: (out in the cold during baseball and on the way to Seattle for volleyball)

7. BASEBALL

8. Oh, a little work too...had some fun shipping experiences exporting into Canada this last week NOT...my shipment is still waiting to get cleared through customs

So...I OWE...I owe my people their RAKS...I owe my dear friend Nance an e-mail at a minimum (dear Nance...I have a little something more than that for you!)...I owe my dear friend Laura P a "how's it going e-mail...I think if you look up the definition in the dictionary for friend...Laura should be one of the meanings....)

and I owe my people who read my blog...my MAY CARD....I am not DOWN...just a little overwhelmed...I will feel MUCH BETTER WHEN MY PACKAGE MAKES IT TO MONTREAL....and we are still in the city tournament...so BASEBALL is still part of my LIFE...RAK peeps...I have THREE cards waiting to be bundled up and mailed....

life life life life

Now...off to bed with pain meds and antibiotics for this EAR thing...in my almost half century life...I have never had such a bad ear infection...this made my FACE swell...and landed in my THROAT, JAW, TONGUE, etc...ick

Trudi