the Artist

On this Fabulous Friday we are redefining the finer things in life while we embrace every moment in the Studio of our Lives. . .

As my brother Bill , master carpenter, cabinet maker, general contractor,

Artist

examines 

measures 

guides 

and molds every piece of wood 

that he hand selected for the fine cabinetry that may have only been part of a dream turned into reality for the homes he builds and the lives he touches as only an artist can. 

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Playing along with: 

Fabulous Friday

 finer things in life

 In the Studio

F ~ is for . . .

 Friendship, guidance, and holding on tight.


ABC Wednesday

the Economist in my house

Okay, It's time you knew. I have kept this secret long enough.  I have to come clean on this one.  You are my friends right? You won't judge me to harshly.  

Will you???

I mean you put up with my bad spelling, my poor grammar and my rambling thoughts. So I thought I should just tell you.  

I have this son that's, well. . . a little strange.  

He likes. . . lectures A LOT! He likes economics as much as he likes lectures. Strangely enough, he likes lectures and economics together. . . at the same time. 

Okay, yeah, there is more. 

He like lectures and economics enough to  win a scholarship to study economics in a lecture setting for. . . 12 hour days. . . for a week. 

I know! 


A  whole week. 7 days . . . 12 hours a day.

I have tried with this kid, I really have. But, he thrives on lectures and economics. . .at the same time.  He tells me, "because I have home schooled him he knows how to think. . .for himself." 

 "Wait a minute!" "I did that?" Huuu???

So here we are, I have an economist in the house. Not just any economist, we have an Austrian Economist.  Most particularly, I am talking a Ludwig von Mises Institute school of economics economist. AND that's a mouth full! 


I am telling you, Matthew studies and studies and studies this thing. He reads books that are bigger then. . .I don't know. . .a dictionary about this stuff.  He really finds it all very interesting. 



He fills me up with the things he has learned. I listen and think. . .could he be right? Does he really know what he's talking about? and then I hear the things he says on the news about: the way things are going in this great country of ours and what needs to be done and why our government won't do them.  

It's quite overwhelming. 

And I think. . . well, maybe an Economist in the house is not so bad. There are days I get to call him "my son sunshine" because of the gloominess of his tone. "My Son Sunshine" tells me all about why the FED is bad and what really needs to be done in our government. . .to make things work again for all of us and why our government won't do them. 

And, sometimes I just have to say to him. . .

"STOP!" 

"I can't take it anymore!" I know! Doom and Gloom. The FED is bad. . . Our government is corrupt, Congress violates the Constitution with nearly every new bill they enact.   We all get it! " 

" Ron Paul rules! "

and then I'll lovingly say: 

"Matthew tell me this?  

Why did you have to learn so much about the constitution?" 

"Why didn't you just pretend to read it like the other kids do?" 

So,  my oldest son, Matthew, the son I home schooled for nine years, won a scholarship to the  Ludwig von Mises Institute at Auburn University with an essay that he wrote. The scholarship paid for everything from his food, to his room and board,  to the lecture classes that was all about economics. All Matthew had to do was get to Atlanta Georgia the very same weekend Mark got out of the hospital. 

His bag were packed and Matthew and I  drove the 176 miles to the Atlanta Airport. 

We talked about how very nerves he was about going to a place where he didn't know a soul. We talked about how proud his father and I are of him for doing this all on his own.  We talked about how excited he was to meet his idols and learn more about this subject that he loved. . . and maybe, just maybe Ron Paul would be there. 

Matthew went to Auburn and the school of economics with the hopes and dreams that only a 19 year old could. He learned, and he studied , and he studied and he learned. He called  me three times a day to share the things he had learned and to tell me how excited he was to be there. He told me who he had met and how brilliant the "average" person was  at the institute that week. Matthew talked about what was said and what he already knew to be true. He talked about his hopes for the future. . .if only the government of today would listen.  .  . and stop thinking about. . .well, themselves and who's pockets they are in. 

 

When Matthew came home, he was not only a week older and wiser,  he was "intoxicated" from the all the knowledge that was swimming around in his head. He was tired from the long week of lectures and note taking. He was full from his week of listening to arguments and debates from the people he had only read about and admired from afar.   For weeks now, Matthew has been filling us up with von Mises  ideas for the world and the things he wants to become. He told me how he wants to fight for what is right. . .and how he can't wait to go back to "the Institute" next year and learn and study and listen for a week  and those 12 hour days   of more studying, learning and growing. AND just maybe just maybe Ron Paul will be there. 

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"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." 


Benjamin Franklin 

Playing along with: 

Unknown Mami

 Ni Hao Yall

Fresh Mommy 
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My 3 Boybarians

Communal Global

New Beginnings

On this Fabulous Friday we are redefining the finer things in life while we embrace every moment in the Studio of our Lives. . .

As Karen celebrates her new beginning and she redefines her life. . .

 

as the new girl on the block. 

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Playing along with: 

Fabulous Friday

 finer things in life

every moment

 In the Studio

Getting Old

The other day she said, 

"I'm old mommy."  "You see, I'm five now. That's very old." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life.  "Why," I answered without a thought, "now."  ~David Grayson

Playing along with: 

Unknown Mami

 Ni Hao Yall

Fresh Mommy 

Tomorrow

On this Fabulous Friday we are redefining the finer things in life while we embrace every moment in the Studio of our Lives. . .

Things are moving almost faster then I can keep up. The children are growing by leaps and bounds. Life is moving. . .  School is starting again soon and then I'll really be busy. 

I have so much to tell you. . .Tomorrow

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Playing along with: 

In the Studio 

 finer things in life

Fabulous Friday

Maybe It's just me

I have read that sometimes you can see a person's soul in a black and white photo. 

I don't know, maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm looking to hard. . .  Maybe I just know him that well. 

But you know what? I think I can see his soul here.  

I see a young man that works hard and puts everything he has into most things he does. I see beauty and kindness and just a little bit of his wild side.  .  . All in this photo.

Maybe it's just me. But, that's what I see. 

ABC Wednesday

Black and White Wednesday

A Lesson in Friendship

It seems strange to me I'm just getting around to posting again after letting another two weeks go by.  Things are settling down around here but, I guess sometimes things like these just take a while. 

So the short story today is: I heart faces is holding another photo contest. The theme for this contest is Friendship.  As we all know, friendship comes in all sizes, shapes and colors. You just never know where you'll find it. 

 When I think of friendship, I can't help but think of Tommy. He's the hippy on the right. The man with the bandanna around his head, holding the red cup.  Tommy is my brother George's friend.  He has been around for. . . well. . .I guess, forever. The other guy in this photo, holding the yellow cup, is my brother George's son. . .Little, Bigger George, as I loving call him. 

 The  one thing I always think of when I see Tommy is how genuine he is. What you see is what you get: a true, loyal friend. 

 I will never forget the action Tommy took when our father died. He cut his hair, shaved, bought himself a suit, arrived at the mortuary early, before any of us got there and waited outside for his friend George.  

Tommy told me that night. . . when I saw him standing there waiting: "I don't want anyone of you walking in there alone tonight. Your father was better to me then my own father and I will always be grateful for that."  In his kindness, Tommy offered to walk in with me because, Mark had gone to be with my mother. I told Tommy I would be okay, I had my kids with me and then I remember Tommy saying; "I'm just going to wait right here for George. . . so I don't miss him and he doesn't have to walk in alone. " and my heart filled with love that night. . . and I'll never forget the lesson in friendship a man named Tommy taught me without even trying the night of October 2, 2009.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

52 weeks of happiness

My 3 Boybarians

Communal Global

Yadda Yadda Yadda

Have you ever had a week. . . or two. . . that you just wanted to yadda yadda yadda over?  Those weeks that the hours and days just seem to run into each other because the stress of that time seemed to be more then you can handle.  

You know those days, we all have them. 

Those times when life seems to be going well and then suddenly, "yadda yadda yadda" your heart skips a beat, you hold your breath for days, time stops and the hours run into each other until someone says, "With a few changes and yadda yadda yadda things will be okay."

That was my week last week. 

 I felt so over whelmed and tired I wanted to "yadda yadda yadda" over it all. . . just to get through. 

So here's what happened; the doctor said Mark must have had a little virus maybe a month or so ago.  Then silently that little virus turned into something we never knew could happen. We didn't even notice any of it at first. Suddenly Mark ended up in the hospital for what seemed like weeks. . . but, it was only a couple of days. 

And yadda, yadda, yadda he will be fine and most importantly, the beat goes on.  

~Thank God~

A Photo Prop & a Fifth Birthday

The photo challenge over at I Heart Faces this week is using props in your photos. With this I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to catch up a little bit on all things blogging and I thought I could use this picture of Liz and her giant sized teddy bear. 

 Honestly, since I came home from Massachusetts and my uncles funeral last week it has been nothing but go, go, go.  I will be telling you all about our trip soon. The real reason I came to talk to you today is ~ hold on to your hat now:                

I have a confession to make.  

Her Birthday was July 7th. 

11 DAYS ago and I haven't posted about it yet. Can you believe that?  What a bad blogging mommy I am. Honestly, I have been so swamped with things going on around here since I came home, I just haven't had a chance to put a birthday post up. I left Mark with four kids, a business to run and lots and lots of laundry to do. While I was gone one of the things that happened last week was Stevie Wonder bought himself a new toy. You know how he loves to build and tinker. This time he bought  a dremel. With this new toy, he  cut his finger badly again this summer.  It really does take two of us to keep an eye on things  and so when one of us is gone and then we come back home the punishment is. . .more work to do. 

Blogging had to be the last thing on the list. 

Even though her 5th birthday was July, 7th. . .11 days ago. . . I just couldn't get to a post about it.  


I will have you know, according to her, the birthday went off just grand and The Best Nana ever bought the best present ever.      AND  now, she's 5 and 11 days.  and I think. . .

Blogging and posting is not the most important thing. 

Right??? 

Uhhh??? Hello??? 

 HELLO??? 

I also figured, What the heck! I would play along with the ladies from Communal Global  and Sweet Shot Tuesday. 

Uncle Joe

Our Father's Brother,   Joseph J. Finnell Jr , has died today.

Growing up my Father and Uncle Joe were very close. . . like brothers should be. But, they were more then that. These two were best friends. 

 The loyalty of their relationship for both men lasted a life time.  

 As the two grew older and distance separated them the love the brothers had for each other  reached 1000 miles and grew in their children.  Even though my brothers, sisters and I didn't know Uncle Joe very well the stories of their childhood together lived on in our father. Our father loved and admired his brother. We delighted in hearing the stories of years gone past of the two friends growing up in the city of Boston; selling papers at a very young age,  jumping on street cars for a free ride, dreaming on the deck of a yacht they could only sneak on and just simply running amok.                        

  I can only think as Uncle Joe's daughter said ~  "The brothers are together again." 

It is with a heavy heart we say, Rest in Peace Uncle Joe. We all have a great love for you. 

If I posted in May

I can't believe it's almost the middle of June July 4rd ~ Independence day and I'm just now getting around to finishing this post I wanted to put up from May.  There was so much I wanted to tell you about. Sure you know about the big party and the blast from the past, but, really there was so much more. 

For weeks I had planned this post in my mind but I never really took the time to get to it done.

              Now I wonder. . .  Is it to late? 

I mean it's July for crying out loud. It's Independence day. I should be putting up pictures of fireworks. I would if I had one decent shot from the night. But, I don't. So now here I am thinking, should I go backwards and just post what I had planned or what?  I am behind on this thing. I do enjoy posting very much. 

AND I think. . .

If I posted in May one of the things I most definitely would have put on would be this picture. It's of Matthew going to the prom with good friends. I also would have told you how bad I  felt about missing the whole getting ready for prom,  dress up and posing for picture thing.  

I would have told you I missed the before prom "thing" because I was in N.C. at David's confirmation.  I am sure I would have reminded everyone that David is Mark's sister's son. I'm just like that. . . I really don't like to leave people hanging and keep them wondering ab... 

Then I would have said Mark was David's Confirmation sponsor and the serves was quite lovely. I really was happy we were there. 

I would have told you not to worry to much about me missing the festivities for Matthew because I didn't  actually miss seeing him in his Tux.   When I asked Matthew to put the tux on for me the day before he quickly obliged.  He's a good son and ~ we all know ~ he loves his momma.  

I would have told you how I happily adjusted the vest and took pictures of my very handsome son that day. 

I remember thinking ~  I really wish I could be a the meeting place with all the other moms for the picture fun. You know to make sure everything went off okay and just to make sure my little boy would be alright with those people and that girl.   

 Who is very lovely by the way. I really do like her very much.  

 ~  This is "my baby" we are talking about.  My Little boy. . . He's only 6ft. 2 inches in height and you know something could happen to him. 

~  and then the it occurred to me ~ 

 

 If Mark and I couldn't be there on this very important night. . . then who would be the next best person to send.  

Who did I know with experience in this kind of thing? This person had to be someone that could go undercover and check things out without being to pushy or maybe  this person could be just pushy enough but could get away with it.    You know the type.  But, who???

The Best Nana Ever! That's who. . .

She did a superb job! and all went well with the night.  The kids had a great time. 

One thing I know I would have liked to post in May would have been this picture. It’s a picture of Brian and Father Theo at Brian’s First Communion. I would have mentioned how happy and excited Brian was to finally receive the Body of Christ.

I also would have mentioned all this took place the same day as the big party. I would have mentioned how the whole day was a world wind of changing clothes, getting ready and celebrations for us all. I would have mentioned this very important fact about Brian on this post. . .if I posted in May. But, you know what? I totally forgot.

I totally forgot to even post this picture.

I even forgot my camera that morning and last night after I hit post on this post, I went to bed. Then it hit me, I remembered I completely forgot about Brian’s First Communion.

As the family reporter it’s my duty to remember these things.  Don’t you think?

I even forgot my three older kids served for this very important Mass. I would like to think I would have told you all about IF I remembered my camera that morning. I was lucky my sister had remembered hers. I mean after all. This is her kid. We were lucky one of us was thinking that morning. 

The next thing I would have told you about. . .If I posted in May ...was about Kathryn running with the Girls on the Run group. I would have told you how awesome the whole Girls on the Run  organization is and how happy I was we got involved with this club. Kathryn and her new friends trained for months together. The finial test was "the Swamp Rabbit 5k". The girls, their moms and everyone else in the state ran this thing.  It was so wonderful. We had a great time.  I tell you there will be more of these for her.  

My last post for May probably would have mentioned the Peterson family moved; we said goodbye to our Stephanie,  baby Aubrey and Steph's husband Brian.  If I posted this picture I think I would have wanted to say something like ~ WOW! They're a good looking family. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

And just because It's not May, it's is July 4,  Independence Day. . . and most importantly to him,  it's this guys birthday I have to say. . . 

Happy Birthday Brian!!!!!! 

The Hoverath  July 4th Baby.

http://my3boybarians.com/