The Roofing Story Is More of a Dog’s Tale . . .

My “hectic day” story from last Saturday was intended to be a story in pictures of how I spent the morning filling orders for the Seasonal Distress Ink Sets while I waited for the temperature to climb . . . how I spent the afternoon painting cedar boards that the roofers were using as replacements on my house . . . how I spent the evening announcing our local high school’s playoff win.  But after a week of other items of more importance, I’ll just pare the story down to the only part of it that most of you really want to see . . .

. . . the pictures of the dog.  Zoe spent the morning with me in the house while I filled orders, and the afternoon with me in the yard while I painted.  We really weren’t sure how she would handle all of the commotion and strangers in the yard, but she was true to her training and stayed near me while I worked.  It was a full day, we accomplished a lot, and the football game in the evening was the icing on my cake.

More Pictures That Are (Still) Better Than a Roofing Story …

I am in Birch Run, Michigan this weekend for the annual Deer Widow’s show – if your significant other is out hunting this weekend, come and see us!  Thursday was setup day, and along the way I saw a couple of things that pushed themselves ahead of roofing on the blog story priority list.

Tish Ramsey helped me set up the booth yesterday.  She brought her lunch along in a blue cooler, and when she got ready to eat she pulled out a little Sesame Street towel.  I didn’t pay much attention until she told me she had chosen it especially to bring along to setup.  Take a look at the name of the little girl Muppet on the towel . . .

Setup was loooooooong yesterday.  By the time we finished, I was ready for some haute cuisine.  People who know me well know that haute cuisine usually comes with the question “Do you want fries with that?”   When I was getting my drink, I discovered that McDonald’s – at least here – is finally addressing one of my pet peeves . . .

I absolutely hate those stacks of cup lids out in the open.  I watch people rooting through them with grimy hands and I find myself getting mine from way back in the stack to try to avoid the germs.  This handy-dandy gadget dispenses one lid at a time when you pull on the cover.  Gotta love it!

We Interrupt This Weekend Tale . . .

Today was going to be the story of last weekend, and everything that happened at my house wrapped around the work on my roof.  But that can wait a couple of days.  While I was at our store yesterday gathering goodies for this weekend’s Deer Widow’s Weekend show in Birch Run, Michigan, a better opportunity presented itself . . .

These are two very special people in the Marco's family.  Walter White is Gary's 97-year-old father-in-law -- he still works a few afternoons a week in our back room.  And Bryden Ihle is Karen and David's six-month-old grandson.  This all started because Karen reminded me that I had not posted a shot of her grandbaby since he was a newborn.  Then Walter wandered past on his way to the front door just as I was switching my cell phone to camera mode.

I assume that you will agree that this is better than a story about roofing and shingles . . .

How I Spent My Weekend (Part One) . . .

This was such a busy weekend – my Saturday alone wore me out.  I realized about halfway through that I should be taking pictures along the way – sometimes, blog pieces just write themselves that way.  Even then, I still forgot to take pictures at some of the most important times.

But sometimes, others get shots that I might have missed . . .

This shot was taken from the stage at the Palace Theater in Columbus, OH on Thursday evening (follow the arrow to see that yes, that was actually me in the fourth row).  I was there to see an “a capella” group called Straight No Chaser – if you have not seen or heard them before, I think you would enjoy them.  As part of their act, they take pictures of the audience each night and post them on their Facebook page.  These are ten guys who started singing at Indiana University about 1996, then went on their separate ways after college until a video shot at one of their college performances was posted on YouTube and went viral . . .

I sang in lots of musical groups when I was in high school, and in a quartet with my dad and another father and son when I was in my 20s.  And I would have loved something like this.

The view from the fourth row.  And no worries about the copyright police – they encourage pictures and video.  Amazing how this worked out – I bought the tickets in May, then found out last Monday that Thursday was to be the first day the roofers would be at my house to start repairing and reshingling.  Would have been just exhausted when the time came to leave for Columbus (70 miles away).  But it rained – so the job didn’t start until Friday afternoon.

The roof is a whole ‘nother story – more on that tomorrow . . .

Winter Distress Colors (Finally) Announced . . .

The mystery has been solved – Ranger has finally announced the three colors that make up the Tim Holtz Seasonal Distress Ink Winter Set  . . .

This description of the colors is theirs – I don’t think I could find words that are that “descriptive” when you take into account that it took me twenty years to finally accept that mauve is not pink . . . “a wintery mix of colors just right for the holiday season: Evergreen Bough (a beautiful green with a hint of blue), Festive Berries (a true Christmas red) and Iced Spruce (an incredible greyish blue).”

Need more info?  Here is Tim Holtz hizzownself with the video plug . . .

If all goes well, our first shipment should arrive tomorrow (November 2).  As always, we sill start shipping immediately . . .

Family Tradition . . . With a Twist

Many of you already know that the carving of Halloween pumpkins is a tradition in my household.  Ryan says mine always look the same – every year I try to make mine different, but I guess I’m just not that creative with a carving knife in my hand.  When we’re finished, I put the pumpkins, Ryan, and Zoe in the kitchen to take pictures, because that’s the best nighttime lighting in the house.

Ryan thought it would be cute to try to assume Zoe’s pose.  Didn’t quite work.  So he decided to get creative . . .

I got a kick out of Zoe’s “are you nuts?” look in the right photo.  But Ryan wasn’t done . . .

Look closely – you’ll notice that the bottom of Ryan’s pumpkin is now missing.  Yes, that’s where it’s going . . .

I can’t even begin to imagine how that felt (or smelled).  But I have to admit it was fun.  Reminds me a bit of some of my wacky costumes at the Cincinnati convention.

So this is this year’s Family Pumpkin Carving Photo . . .

And then our creations went out on the front rail to display.  Tonight, they’ll be lighted for the Trick or Treaters when they come up our street . . .

Video Rainbow

I should have known better – I sent an e-mail out to our list yesterday and tried to include video for the first time.  Should have sent it to myself first to make sure it would work – when I got a copy later in the day, I got some warning about “Active X controls not working” or something like that, and no video.  Next time, I guess I’ll include a link as well.

So let’s try again . . .

A Sight I Saw Because of Your Orders!

I was on the way to the Centerville Post Office late Thursday afternoon with half a carload of orders to mail.  Just as I pulled into the parking lot, the most beautiful rainbow appeared.  I can't remember the last time I could see both ends of a rainbow so close together.  I tried to shoot a picture, but couldn't get all of it in one shot.  Then it hit me -- "I can shoot video on my cell phone."  So I did -- hope you enjoy it as much as I did!