Watermarked images and a new house

I've been on a bit of a mission. I've been trying to create a watermark for my photos. Which explains why the blog has been down for a week or so...Find out why it was so urgent for me by visiting Skye's blog.

There are a couple of reasons it took a while. One, we are moving!!! The house is sold (unless the closing falls through). Two, I couldn't figure out how to create an easy to use watermark. I was finally able to find a decent tutorial for Gimp.

I haven't been able to watermark all my images. I've been blogging for so long that it will take a while to go back and replace all my images with watermarks. To be honest, I'm not sure that's a good use of my time anyway. I have watermarked all the recent posts that show up on my homepage. That's a start, right?

Back to moving: I'm excited to start sharing before and after photos. The house we are buying is very plain jane. It needs quite a bit of updating; although, it is extremely clean and ready for occupancy. So get ready for a home tour and home improvement posts!! My guess is that will start around October!

Here she is! The new house.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Chloe finally experienced her first baseball game. I would have taken her sooner, but Marky Mark doesn't really care for the sport. Blasphemous? Yes. Who would have thought I would ever marry someone who didn't have a love of the game? Still, I have no complaints. :)

We just went to a Round Rock Express game. They are a triple-A minor league team that is affiliated with the Texas Rangers. (When I moved here they were a feeder for the Houston Astros. I guess ole Nolan Ryan (owns the team) decided to 'change up.')

Anyway, we went out to catch a few innings on Wednesday. When we went up to the window to purchase tickets, a couple gave us three for free! How nice is that?!? I'll have to come up with a good way to 'pay it forward.'

We only made it through the top of the fourth inning. That's pretty good for a two year old, right? When we left Chloe yelled, "Bye, baseball. See you soon." haha. I also taught her to talk a little trash to the opposing team. She learned to yell "sit down" when an opposing player strikes out. Now I just have to teach her not to yell "please" after. Still it was sweet when she yelled, 'sit down, please' after a player struck out.


Sorry for the crappy photos. I think my point and click is on it's last leg (it's got to be 6 years old). I didn't want to take my nice camera out there. Try and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

By the way, we don't know the other little girl in this video. Chloe just decided that she wanted to roll down the hill with her. She's never met a stranger.  I think the older girl had fun trying to teach her how it's done.

Little things...

Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.

~Frank Howard Clark, American Screen Writer

My days are mostly the same from day to day. When Mark gets home and asks, "Anything special happen today?" The answer is most always "no." I know what he means and he knows what I mean. The truth is that every single day is special. The entire day.

I am well aware that some day when my children are grown that I will look back and cherish these little things that at the time didn't seem so extraordinary. Of course, knowing this doesn't make it any easier to avoid taking some things for granted. Hard as I try, I have days that are boring or exhausting or trying. I think that's okay, too. It's natural. Oh but I wish I could video tape every little thing that this kid does so someday when I'm feeling nostalgic I could go back and watch some of the 'little things' that I didn't pay quite enough attention to in the moment.



 

Chloe likes to read to her reflection...


Running as fast as she can. You can tell because her arms can't keep up with her legs...

Smiling after a going down the big slide!

I love her baby bangs...the little curly whisps of hair.

Watching Alice in Wonderland during lunch...a special treat.



The Park

We had a little fun at the park today. It's nothing new, but the weather was a bit more tolerable. Living in central Texas, I welcome a 90 degree morning. It's cool weather. Ha. Of course, it's supposed to be 101 by 4 this afternoon.

Chloe's First Kiss

It's been a month since Chloe's first kiss. Our friends, Chris and Katie, came over with their children. Cohen (their son) and Chloe are quite the pair. Chloe just adores Cohen. If we even mention his name, she will go get her toys and my keys and insist on going to his house.

Because they were both looking so adorable on the Fourth, we put the pair out in the yard for a photo opportunity. There were quite a few pictures taken before we said, "Cohen, give Chloe a kiss." We were not expecting what we got...we were expecting a little peck on the cheek. What we got made us laugh so hard!



 

 



Thankfully, Mark remained calm. haha. Cohen is his daddy made over...

Nothing

Things are still bananas around here. We had an offer on the house. It is NOT sold. It's a looong story and one I don't want to revisit, so I'm not going to write about it today.

While you wait for a legitimate update to this blog, I give you this:

 

 

 

 

The past month has been...

CrAzY to say the least. I've had a few people (mostly family members) request an update. The thing is I have not had time. Seriously. I have not had time. Why not? A few reasons.

First, we have been driving all over the country. First a trip to Duncan to see Mark's Granddad who isn't doing very well. Then a trip to Houston to see Shorty and Pop.

The trip to see Shorty and Pop was cut a few hours short because we learned Mark had been promoted at Ebay and we decided to put our house on the market. With loan rates at a record low, it is time to upgrade to our (hopefully) forever home. So I left Houston early to come clean up our house for showing. Hopefully, I can bring an update on this soon!! For now, we are still living in our trusty first home.

she's been good to our little family

In addition, we signed up for a cruise in September. This has caused me to go on a workout bender. I'm gonna be looking hot in a bikini. I started a bootcamp and have been working by legs and arms off. At least if they literally fall off, I'll weigh a good 30 pounds less. Right?

Lastly and most importantly, this little girl is potty trained. 100%. She has had one accident since our trip to Duncan in June. She asks me to go. I don't even have to remind her; although, I do on occasion. I'm so proud of her! Her pediatrician couldn't believe it.

sidewalk chalk paint

 

 enjoying  Popsicle on July 4th

 

hanging with Granny in Duncan