Closing out the Year

I'm going to try to do a quick recap of the final couple months of 2011.  Let's get right to this or it will never get posted.

Thanksgiving Jingles

I like to sing, a lot. Not very earth shattering, but most who know me would find this surprising. You see, my performance halls are very limited and the audience is ultra specific. Outside these safe confines, I'd be as apt to sing, as I would streak. 

I don't think I used to sing prior to Taylor.  Maybe once in a while, but my penchant was humming, or whistling.  The last few years, I've found myself singing a lot.  I'm not proficient, but I pass for the target audience. Thankfully, they are very forgiving. (except Taylor if I try to sing "You are my Taylor" instead of "You are my Sunshine.", or Mommy if I sing "Jingle Bells" - the Batman Smells version.) 

Using Dad, for a Crutch

As I write this, Taylor and her mother are out trick-or-treating. Anxiously, I await report of her adventure. Last year it was a little overwhelming and she went into a shell. I'm not there. It's a long story.

It all started as I was flying through the air. Actually, Destiny's wheel was set in motion over 30 years ago, when I first picked up a golf club. All the subsequent years of pounding golf balls, driving through with my right side, has altered my body. 

That's the only explanation I have for the unnatural behavior regarding my big right toe. For as long as I can remember... at least five years, a war has been waged. While most nails coexist peacefully with their neighbor; With disturbances such as, untended cuticles, or earthen smuggling, and occasional hostilities rising in the form of a hangnail. The nail-toe relations on the toe in question has degraded into rage-filled assault.  I won't go into detail here, this is family material, but you wouldn't think a nail could dig that deep, or that a river create the Grand Canyon, or a glacier carve the Great Plains. Given time, nature can do most anything.  Wonderful if you're visiting a national park, not so wonderful if natures digging happens in your toe. My toe has long lost the battle, but to me it's only a nuisance. Sure it flares up once in a while, and a day in golf shoes will leave me limping for the evening, but for the most part it doesn't affect my day to day life.

Then there was this Saturday.  The family was up fairly early.  Linda was with Taylor at her table, finishing  breakfast while completing a puzzle.  Luna was at my feet, anxious to play after a night in the kennel. A quick peek out back indicated an overnight rainfall. Realizing  a game of fetch in the back"yard" would quickly give birth to Mud-luna, which would lead to the game of mop the floor and wash the dog, I decided a walk might be better.

Luna Lounging

Daddy Time: Airport Edition

In February 2010 I made a post that talked about Daddy Time. (I won't rehash the contents, but if you're interested, feel free to give it another look.)  Now that we are 20 months into the future, Daddy Time has begun to evolve and actually increase.  

I still get my time early in the morning. Except now, instead of the glider in her room, it takes place in our bed, and often Taylor is a bit grumpier. In addition, there is another version of Daddy Time taking place these days.   Most evenings, I'll spend time with Taylor when she first gets home, as Linda gets dinner ready, or relaxes for a little bit (yes, I do prepare dinner at times).  Most of these evenings are spent in her back "yard" play area, but sometimes we do something special.

The Family Grows

I awake startled. Phantom pain foggily registers. Quietly, I lay on my mattress trying to place the time. Judging the light protruding the scant window coverings, I peg it around 6:30.

I've always been a restless sleeper, tossing and turning through the night. There isn't much consistent in my sleep other then the difficulty in which it comes. This morning I lay on my stomach, my feet overhanging the foot of the bed.

Phantom pain is replaced by the real thing.

"Knock it off..."

There are a few questions where most people find themselves squarely in one camp or the other. For instance; Algebra or Geometry? Collegiate or Professional Athletics? Feline or Canine? You'll find me in camp with geometry, college athletics and dogs. I've always been a dog person.

"Ouch... Stop it!"

Close your eyes, and picture a puppy...

"Clear."

- Zap! -

"... anything?"

So many thoughts.  

So many voices in my head, all vying for attention... if only they would settle down for a spell.  So much I want to say, but when I open my mouth, no words escape... 

"clear."

Why is this so hard? Thought sparks in the deep recess of my mind. Words are expressly chosen in a vain hope of  understanding. I open my mouth.  No words. Frantically, I struggle to retain the thought.  To that connection.  It is fruitless, as the inspiration fades like the memory of a dream, only to be replaced by another voice, another story, another feeling.  Another chance to connect, another opportunity missed. If only I could clear the voices, a moments peace.  If only I had the time.  If only I could rest, think... sleep. 

Just clear my mind.

"Clear.."

- Zap! -

...

- beep -

- beep -

- beep -

"We got 'em."

"where am I?"

"Vital signs are weak, but stable."

"That was a close one.  Welcome back."

The Taylor Times : First Edition

This isn't going to be a post about skiing, but there is a very high risk of avalanche... an avalanche of Taylor information. I won't delay the festivities with stories of other happenings.  Perhaps after, but first let's get right into The Taylor Times. 

Picture Day

A local photo studio came by Taylor's preschool for class pictures a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately it seems Taylor wasn't in the mood to cooperate with the whole process.  She came home with three pictures which accurately captured three of Taylor's often very creative facial expressions.  I won't post any of them here because they are group photos with her classmates, and it doesn't seem right to post pictures of other peoples children. Suffice to say if you've been following this blog you have seen the looks.  On the bright side, the people taking the pictures were able to see the sweet little girl hiding behind the scowl.  They offered us a free session at their studio to get some pictures of Taylor sans attitude.

Out of that session they gave us quite a few very cute thumbnail proofs. It was difficult, but after consulting with some interested parties, we narrowed it down to 5 pictures.  We got very few physical pictures, but I scanned them into the computer so we'll be able to print out multiple copies. Following are the pictures we selected.

This is my favorite for it's artistic flavor. We got a copy of it in 8x10 and hope to have it framed.

Passings, Parties and Personals

Pool Party!

Here’s the meat and potatoes of this blog installment.  Sometime around mid-July, I don’t recall the exact date, Taylor and I spent the afternoon having a pool party.  Earlier in the day while Taylor and Linda were away, I took the pool from its usual resting place on the back patio and moved it to the front yard.  The front yard being one of the few places around our house which boasts both grass and sunshine, seemed to be the perfect venue for a pool party.  I found a nice level spot and started the filling process.  While waiting for this task to complete, I retrieved her slide from the play area and set up at pools edge. 

Linda and Taylor returned from their outing just as set-up was reaching a conclusion.  Taylor was very excited to see her pool and slide in the front yard.  It took much convincing, but after a while Linda was able to shepherd her inside to get dressed for the pool while I finished up the final details.

90 Second Theater

We'll call this a quick and dirty intermediate blog update.  I've been currently working on a larger update (yes, I have been working on it), but during the review of raw footage I came across some video that gave me an idea for a side movie.  So, keeping with my normal laser like focus, I dropped my work on the larger movie/post and did a quick side job.  This is definitely new territory for me, at least on this blog.  Taylor gives her best performance to date...   It's a quick one, not called 90 second theater for nothing.

Well, that's about it.  Nothing a whole lot more to say in this space.  I will say that a lot has happened since my last update so this next post (assuming it gets done) should be chocked full of stuff.  Hopefully a little something for everyone?

editors note: Taylor has moved on from this harrowing experience.. It took all of about 5 minutes, just long enough for us to convince her that Morris needed to take a nap.  I apologize for no happy ending to the movie, but I had to relinquish my job as camera operator and don my "Mr. Fix-it" uniform.

The Good, The Bad and the Cuddly

Upon opening my email last week I came across a request for another blog.  My first written request. On one hand I felt bad having not done a post in a while.  On the other, it was nice to see that people (or at least persons) had missed my work.  I wanted to make a least one post a month on this blog; hopefully more, but at least one. Looking back my last post was at the end of April. It boils down to me missing one month.  All in all that's not too bad...  literally and figuratively I guess.

Seeing as how so many people told me to have a great day today, and since I've nothing pressing on my table at this moment (more on this later), I've decided to sit down at the computer and fill this blank space with something.  Not completely sure how much or exactly what yet.  I've got the rest of the day to find out.  Therefore, in celebration of adding yet another 365, in my astounding run of over 14,600 consecutive days existing, I'm going to spend the next few hours talking to myself...  I'll try to communicate the highlights of happenings since my last posting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aprils Fool

Well, my goal of keeping the blog up to date this year didn't last too long. I'll spare everyone my usual long explanation and apology. Suffice to say plenty has happened over the past two months report. I've just not set aside the time to complete the task. So here's a quick break down.

Hitting the Slopes (literally)  

In March, resulting from extreme amounts of generosity, I was able to make a trip out west for some skiing. My Brother, his Wife and I traveled to Utah for a week of snow filled, gravity affirming, tree dodging, mountain conquering goodness. We flew into Salt Lake City, acquired transportation and headed north to Snowbasin ski resort.

Snowbasin served as venue for the alpine events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The place was unique from other resorts I've experienced. The facilities were amazing. Newly constructed, just as nice as you'd expect  from an Olympic venue. All set in a secluded "local" resort feel. Snowbasin lacks the lodging that you expect to find at most Rocky Mountian resorts. I consider this to be a positive. Keeps the crowds at a minimum... Anyone that knows me knows how important that is. After a couple of days skiing Snowbasin, we decided to try Powder Mountain for a couple, then one day at Solitude, before a final day at Snowbasin.

Random Thoughts...

"Daddy's Time"

It wasn't too long ago that Daddy Time was a part of life that was under my control. I'd simply pick Taylor up, plop down in a chair, situate her to where we were both comfortable, and she would lay there and go to sleep. Then time passed. Shortly after that Daddy Time could be Taylor sitting on my lap watching a football game. She really liked football, and basketball, even golf, and was perfectly content to sit in my lap. Enthralled with the suspense of what those people running around on the magic window would do next. Or it could be sitting in the middle of the floor with Taylor building with Leggo's or stacking blocks. Then time passed. Mobility showed up on our doorstep looking for a place to "crash". My grasp on Daddy Time became a bit more tenuous. Daddy Time became a closer cousin to Cat Time. Anyone that owns a cat understands what Cat Time is. Cats are very independent and non social until they decide they would like some attention, then they are all over you like static cling on a polyester shirt. Anyway, lap time slowly decreased as exploration time rapidly increased. More and more Daddy Time consisted of following Taylor around the house making sure both she and the contents both survived the day. Another version of Daddy Time is playing taxi-cab, the only rules of this game are: Don't put Taylor down; and Follow the pointing finger. The penalty for breaking these simple rules are breaking a little girls heart and replacing it with a teary eyed noise generator. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy are allowed to share taxi-cab duties, more of a tag team game. Other times only Mommy or Daddy are allowed to play. Sure there are still times where Daddy Time includes Taylor sitting on my lap, or sitting on the living room floor doing a puzzle or building with Leggo's, but these times are shorter and now regulated via Taylor's schedule.

Short Attention Span Theater

As expected, Christmas this year was a completely different experience than last year. Looking back at the pictures and, by comparison, very amateurish videos from last Christmas makes the change even more glaring than I remembered. Last year I wondered if Taylor was aware of her surroundings, this year I knew she was, the challenge was keeping her focused on the task at hand. Of course for her that is presents!

I touched on the subject of Taylor's play kitchen briefly during the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" post. Being as how it was assembled and sitting in plain view, it obviously was the first item she saw upon being toted into the living room. It would play a vital role in the recurring theme throughout the day. That being to keep Taylor focused and interested in the presents being opened instead of channeling Julia Child. Of course this incarnation of Ms. Child serves every dish in a cup, usually 4 cups and sometimes a handful of flatware. But I digress, let me stick to a somewhat chronological description of the day...

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Being a proud disciple of Captain Obvious, I should first point out the irony of reading a "Twas the Night Before Christmas" post when it's currently 3 days after Christmas. This only seems odd to those who are either visiting my blog for the first time, or those who haven't been paying attention over the past year. As always I have an excuse. I'll pause a moment to allow the shock to subside... Please, stop snickering, it breaks my concentration... Fine, I'll continue. I received some new video editing software for Christmas. While it is much more powerful than Windows Movie Maker that I've been using the past year, and it should allow me to try new things and make better videos, it also has been very temperamental. Causing me much frustration since it's installation. Between random crashes, corrupted files and lost work, I almost gave up. Finally I was able to keep the program running long enough to complete the movie included in this post.

"Just the Facts Ma'am"

Just a quick (well, that's the idea as of right now) post covering Thanksgiving. I figured this was the only way to ensure getting some pictures and quick commentary up about our Thanksgiving before Christmas is upon us. This post will be without fanfare, bells, whistles or snazzy high dollar production value. Okay, maybe that is a bit much, but humor me. Let's just say this is mostly a pictorial with just a bit of commentary. My homage to Joe Friday "Just the facts ma'am."

We were unable to make it out to Kansas City again this Thanksgiving (hopefully we will make it next year, fingers crossed that the housing market turns around and everything else goes well). However, we were graciously invited to spend Thanksgiving with family up in Panama City.

Whatchagot Stew

Well, it's Thanksgiving week. I can't believe how fast time is slipping by. You know all those things people say when you're growing up that you just never believe? Every day I'm finding out more and more of those phrases are true. If only I could turn back time and pay heed to all the advice people gave...

"Enjoy Growing Up, It's The Best Years of Your Life!"

You know, looking back I dreaded that part of my life. But now I think of how great it could have been. If I only knew then what I know now I would have attempted to make so much more of it. Not only the social aspects, in which I utterly avoided. The actual time to just learn and explore interests without worry of money, work and bills. Growing up did include a lot of work. Looking around at other kids I realize that comparatively yes, it was a lot of work, but that taught me many valuable things that has served me well to this day. Heck the way things are going in the world, I may end up needing to rely on knowing how to "rough it". Many people I see out there would be at a complete loss. Anyway, even with that said there was plenty of time to enjoy and just be a kid. I took so little advantage of that time I should be put on trial, because it's gotta be a crime. To think of the free time I had to just practice on my golf game. I frittered so much of that time away. I could have played just half as much and still played 10 times more than I do now, and still I would have had to practice a couple hours a day.

Surfer Girl

Here I sit, once again, staring at a blank screen. It seems to be a reoccurring theme lately. There is "news to report" but I struggle to find a starting point in which to transfer the thoughts in my head into a form more accessible to someone other than myself. My left brain tells me to just post the information and corresponding media, be done with it, and continue with other activities. My right brain says "Hogwash, I'm not going to let you off that easy. You WILL sit here and present the information in a somewhat creative way." Being a southpaw, and therefore held hostage by my right brain, I'm forced to surrender to it's whims. With that being said I will attempt to fulfill my obligation, but would like to make clear I am currently treating my brain as a hostile witness.








A couple of weeks ago... okay that's a lie. Way back over Labor Day weekend we decided to take Taylor for her first trip to the beach. Okay, that's another lie. She had been to the beach one time before while visiting family in Panama City but she was still immobile, basically akin to a piece of luggage. Albeit a very precious and cute piece of luggage. But, this was her first trip where she could be an active participant. Anyway, we packed up the vehicle and headed over to Crescent Beach for the afternoon. It's a nice, lightly populated beach just south of St. Augustine. A great place to avoid the crowds and just enjoy the ocean.



The first thing she noticed was an incredible number of shells to pick up. Now you have to understand that Taylor has yet to meet an item that she hasn't wanted to collect. We've begun to call her the Roomba. I can thoroughly sweep the floors and she will still find every little speck, no matter how minute and either hand it to us, or put in her mouth. Every time we take her outside she comes back with a handful of rocks or hickory nuts. Upon seeing all the shell fragments on the ground you'd think she'd stumbled upon Blackbeard's treasure. After the long trek eastward, stopping intermittently to pick up a prized piece colored calcium, we finally reached the waters edge. Her first reaction to the water was curiosity. The second reaction was confusion as each receding wave washed the sand out from under her feet. She was suddenly reluctant to move as her feet sank. Linda and I took turns holding her hands as she stood in the edge of the surf. On this trip she never graduated to actually walking in the water herself, but she did spend some time walking along the waters edge. She saw some bikes which completely enthralled her and saw a few other children whom she wanted to befriend. All in all it was a very enjoyable day and we are looking forward to our next trip when I'm sure she will graduate to actually playing in the water.

As expected, we took a few pictures and I shot around 30 minutes of video. We all know how tedious home movies can be, especially if they are long enough to require an intermission for bathroom breaks and snacks. With that in mind, I pared down the footage to around 5 minutes and put together a short synopsis of our afternoon. I hope you enjoy.



Here is a photo album of a few selected photographs.

Crescent Beach Photos (well Taylor photos taken at the Beach)

My favorite of the photos is the first one, an action shot where I captured Taylor in mid fall.

Taylor's Big Day

What is this stuff on my face? Oh, it's egg. For those who visited "Not Too Bad..." after receiving an email around 8:30 Saturday night, you may know what this is about. For the sake of those who didn't visit until after Saturday night, let me do a brief recap. I published a post last night with some material that I just wasn't satisfied with. I mentioned how I hadn't come to a firm conclusion of my opinion, but published anyway. Well, I came to a firm conclusion approximately 10 minutes after sending the notification email. In this digital age there is no way to cry "Stop the presses!". So, I will utilize the internet to it's fullest power. I will re-write history, and delete the evidence!.

So, basically there is no new material produced for this post from the one last night (other than some additional writing), it's just presented in a different manner.

For those who saw the page last night. I hope you'll find these changes drastic enough to make reading again worthwhile. The previous effort kind of made me think of a peanut-butter & tomato sandwich. The ingredients themselves are quite good, but when you try to make a sandwich out of them, it just... doesn't work.

For those who are didn't see anything last night. "What are you talking about?"


THE PEANUT BUTTER

"The Kindle of an Idea..."

A few months ago I had an idea. I imagined compiling the video and photographs I'd collected during Taylor's first year and produce a "year in review" movie for her birthday. I have hours and hours of raw video footage and hundreds of photographs. I've captured such milestones as first bath, sitting up, first meal, turning over, laughing, crawling and first steps. I've chronicled swings and swimming pools, play time and nap time. All the ingredients one requires for an in depth, entertaining overview of how Taylor spent her first year.

"The Application of the Wet Blanket..."

Oh, I'm sorry... you weren't believing I actually completed this task. Were you? I didn't mean to mislead. Just reflecting on an idea I had. I have a lot of them, most end up in the "cold files" department. For now, in what I like to call the realism world, I just settled for producing a "day in review" movie for her birthday. It only took me 1 week to find the time for such an endeavor. One week to chronicle 1 day... the way I see it that gives me about 7 years to complete my "year in review" project. I'm not sure I'll be able to meet that deadline. Maybe someday, when I'm retired, and Taylor is off and settled on her own, I may actually see the fulfillment of these grander visions. Like my "9 holes at Turkey Creek". A project I've been working on for over a year now. (I think I'm at hole 4 if I recall correctly). But that's an entirely different subject.

"The Compromise..."

We woke up on the 2nd and got Taylor up and dressed. After breakfast we gave her our present, an activity cube. She enjoyed exploring all the moving parts and colorful pieces. I can see how it will provide multiple years of entertainment and learning. After a short play time Taylor went down for a nap. Linda started to decorate the house with the help of a friend from work. Having completed my decorating contribution the night before (blowing up balloons), I headed out to mow the yard and make the exterior presentable. Upon completion I entered a wonderfully decorated house just in time to quickly shower before guests were set to arrive.

Taylor woke from her nap to find her world completely transformed. There were decorations and people everywhere. Well, may around a dozen people, but she had never seen so many people in our house. You could tell she wasn't quite sure what to make of everything. In situations such as this she get's very quiet and observational. Perhaps she gets that trait from me? There was some short visiting, the ritual passing of the baby, and then the party started.

This is where I will let the movie take over the story telling.





I hope you enjoyed a quick overview of Taylor's special day. Hopefully someday Taylor will watch these movies, enjoy them, and understand the emotion in which they were created.

Special thanks to Nate for handling the video duties during the party, and for the unwitting voice actors who I'm afraid will receive absolutely no compensation for their contribution.


THE TOMATO

"2 A.T. - Day 1"

After posting the last movie "Crossing A Threshold" there was a great amount of positive feedback. Something for which I was very grateful. A couple of people asked me how I made the movies, what the process was. I tried to explain, but probably didn't do a very good job. Since it's relevant to the current post, I'll try again.

The first thing I do is look over all the raw footage I have at my disposal. Of course I knew I wanted to make something for Taylor's birthday so I was sure to take plenty of pictures. I also enlisted Nate to help by shooting some video during the party.

Once I set aside everything that catches my eye, I start listening to music... lot's of music. I find a dozen or so different songs that seemed to be the right mood for the pictures and video. Then I listen to them again, most of them I drop from consideration. Ultimately I will come up with different ideas during this time. A few fizzle, but some take shape until they I like what I see. The following was made from footage taken the day after Taylor's birthday. She's playing with her toys and enjoying some birthday cake in a more civilized manner.

Hope you enjoy.





THE BREAD

"The Perpetual Apology..."

At the risk of sounding like a broken record. I'd like to again apologize for such a long delay between postings. It's not from lack of material. I have quite a few ideas, many of them much more attainable than my more massive cold files inhabitants. There just seems to be so much to do and the day, weeks... hell the months are flying by. Linda and Taylor will be in KC for a few more days. Perhaps I will try to dig through the cold files and knock a couple out. Maybe I will tackle the epic 6 hour round of golf I had a last Saturday. Any round of golf that includes the passage "after the cops were called" has to make for an interesting story.

Shoots, Crops and Edits...

Several weekends ago we decided it was time to take some pictures in Taylor's Baptism dress while it still fit her. We again (see Easter pictures) ventured across the street to our neighbors house. I've really begun to appreciate the virtual outdoor photo studio her gardening hobby provides. Taylor did great even though it was very warm and I just know that dress had to be uncomfortable. Here is a selection of photos from the afternoon.

Baptism Dress

In an attempt keep up the evolution (and hopeful improvement) of my small corner of the internet, I'd like to unveil a new feature of "Not Too Bad..." I'm not sure if this feature is really required, but we'll give it a shot and see if anyone wants to keep it. What I've done is crop some print and frame (4x6) ready photos from the above album. There are portrait and landscape versions. I also included another photo from the day that I really liked. (we took a few extra pictures that same day) These are basically for those who have pictures of Taylor and would like something more up to date. Obviously the target market for this feature is pretty small, but hopefully it fills that niche.

4x6 Frame Ready Pictures

Directors Re-cut: There was a very positive response from the short movie I posted earlier. For that I say "Thank you." With influence, I've decided to share it with a broader audience. My nature wouldn't allow me to undertake such an endeavor without first sanitizing the film for mass distribution. There are only a couple of revisions but I do think the movie works better in it's new incarnation. Basically all I did was remove the "Not Too Bad..." reference and edited the final song. I took out the photos that I was uncomfortable with random strangers seeing and added some others. Also the timing and order of the photos were reworked to fit the music better. Nothing earth shattering, but if you're interested the final product is below.

Crossing A Threshold

"Not Too Bad..." has been an opportunity for me to get in touch with quite a few people with whom I'd lost contact with. It has also served as a creative outlet, and a place where I can express thoughts that under normal circumstances never make it past my verbal filter.

Today it serves as a platform to show a short movie I put together. I hope you enjoy "Crossing A Threshold".



Last week we got a little pool for Taylor to play in. At first I was planning to create some sort of creative packaging to release the pictures. A week has passed and the creative iron is still lukewarm. So.... I'm going to sneak them into this post to make my life easier, while fulfilling a promise to publish the pictures in a timely manner. Here are the pictures, sans fanfare.

Pool Party Gallery

A Mother's Day Wish

Just wanted make a quick appreciation thread on this Mother's Day.






To my Mother Sandy. I never got a chance to know you. I never appreciated what you gave me during the time you knew me. I've thought about both of those things more times in the last year then I ever have. I've come to appreciate everything you meant to me in my first year of this now almost 39 year voyage. I've wondered how I would be different if you had been able to spend more time with me. I've also grown in my appreciation of what Dad had to replace after you were gone. I can't imagine what I would do if I was put in that same situation with my wife and Taylor. I just want to say "Thank you."

And that brings me to my wife, Linda






To Linda. Watching you this past year has really been very special. It's amazing how close you are with Taylor. How much she looks to you for everything. I know she loves her Daddy, but her Mommy is on a whole different level. I truly mean that as a sincere compliment. I joke often (to your dismay) how Taylor wants her Mommy when Daddy just can't seem to make her happy. Take that as my everyday recognition or noticing how much you do for Taylor. I can only hope to become as close. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a Mother. Thank you for taking care of me when I refuse to take care of myself. I know I can be stubborn (as I've proven with my medical health track record.) Thank you for continuing on with everything my Dad taught me about life and giving it that woman's touch. Thank you for nurturing our Daughter in ways I'm unable to. Thank you for teaching me to become closer so that one day I will hopefully exhibit that same nurturing nature.





To Linda's Mother. Thank you everything you've done in raising Linda. You did a spectacular job and ultimately taught her how to raise Taylor in such a wonderful way. You've acted as a Mother to me even though I know I'm not the easiest person to get close to. I can't promise I'll soon be the most emotionally open person, but I do promise that I appreciate everything you do.


To all the Mothers out there, at least the good ones. And I'm sure all that are reading this blog fall under that category. Happy Mother's Day, I hope you day was much better then "Not Too Bad..."

Pictures of Mom

Pictures of Taylor's Mom