Take this job and love it

For all of us that still have jobs (especially in the advertising industry!), I congratulate you. Here's a quick pat on the back to myself, too, although is it really in any of our hands to dictate if we keep our jobs? All we can do is, literally, be as billable as possible, which in effect means that we are charging someone good money for the services we provide. But the ad industry is very value-driven and sometimes it's hard to see that fact, particularly for some clients who want do do great work but on a minimum budget. It's not the specific services you provide, because any joe blow can photoshop. It's the value you give to that service, the thoughtfulness and quality of creativity behind those hours you're billing, and that's what I'm proud of.

I'm proud to be the provider in my family and I love that Ross and Isla don't care where the money comes from. I'm also extremely proud to have a husband who is willing to drive six hours every few weeks, or at least offer to, help out on the family farm. The 2,000 glorious acres that is my version of Tara. It's where I gain my strength. Sigh. We are the lucky ones.

The best things in life aren't things

There are so many things you take for granted. Grandparents are definitely one (or two, for me!) of them. The things you learn from the special people around you tend to stay with you through a lifetime and I'm so thankful to have absorbed these lessons from my Grandma Hanna. Here are my top 5:

1. How to make the sourest thing in the world (rhubarb) so delectable!
2. How to always squeeze a hug from even the biggest "kid".
3. How to enjoy life no matter what's going on - depression, the 60s, in your 80's!
4. How to show others your love through actions.
5. The importance of family.

Now hush your mouth and find some time to write yours a letter, if you can. If anything, for all that they've done for you in your life...

Shave and a haircut

Ross getting "blowed"

Beer holder man

Auntie Steph and Auntie Melissa with little ones

Grandpa and Isla

Grandma and Isla 

It's been a while, so sorry! We've been up to a lot lately, or rather, in the last few weeks. We received a mega box of fine products from England, things that Ross misses and can't live without (Like his PG tea, Eclair candies for me, and wine gums!).

We were up in Iowa in mid-June, where we had a great time with my family, and Ross got a summer buzz cut (from my brother, Chris) who proceeded to use his freshly-buzzed head as a beer holder, then blew off the hair clippings with a leaf blower! Good times, good times...We sat in the hot tub and met my little niece, Little Miss Siena. Check out how much bigger Isla is than the little newborn. It's absolutely amazing that just 11 months ago, Isla was actually smaller than Siena - Siena was born 8lbs, 6oz and Isla was a straight 8oz. Just crazy...

This past weekend I wasn't too well, but we still played a game of Settlers of Catan and on Saturday we braved the flash heat/cold/rain waves and walked twenty feet to our lovely neighbor's party and surprisingly, we stayed out until well past midnight! Photos to follow soon! Watch this space!