Happy Independence Day (even though the celebration is tomorrow)

Having July 4th land on a Sunday is always a weird thing in Utah.  Pretty much nothing was going on today and even the places that would normally be open on a Sunday were closed for the holiday.  Some of the Independence Day festivities were held yesterday and the rest will be tomorrow.  I'm not saying that I mind, it's just that it can take some getting used to. 

Emery, Brenda, and kids came up for the holiday.  Dwayne decided to do a backyard cookout tonight and we invited Emery and his family as well as Gene and his family to join us. Dwayne enlisted Dexter's help in cooking and they made gigantic hamburger patty, topped with cheese slices, and then wrapped in bacon strips woven together into a sheet.  Guaranteed to stop your heart, these real life Baconators were the hit of the dinner.  Dwayne made sure I took a picture of him with his creation before cooking it. 

Dexter was pretty pleased with the results, too.  In fact, I felt it was necessary to take a picture of him taking a picture of the resulting bacon burger.  He had a pretty busy weekend already and this was his only day off.  Dexter has started selling Cutco knives and he has been doing product demonstrations with friends and family in order to practice.  It doesn't hurt to make some sales to sympathetic people along the way either.  He's actually a really natural salesman (which I credit to his acting abilities) and has made some sales in his first two days.  None of this would be possible without the lovely Emily who has been his main mode of transportation as well as his beautiful assistant.

Internet Go Bye Bye

We're having serious Internet difficulties.  I wrote about it in my other blog, so I won't go into it here.  
The Internet problems are still hampering us, but I did have some great news Yesterday.  One of my necklace and earring sets sold.  This is the first item to sell from my shop that wasn't a graphic design order.  Yippee!!  My favorite customer, elladean, ordered another graphic needing revision and I won an Alchemy bid to create an alphabet with a double outline.  It sure is nice having things move along like this.  Things even went well on a personal level.  We had some great visitors from our neighborhood and enjoyed discussing what all our kids are up to and how we can help each other out.  I happen to live in probably the best neighborhood anywhere for being social. This is one of those little areas where everyone watches out for each other and cares how people are doing.   They also welcome everyone in.  Having a great home life sure makes things easier!

Today's Internet update was that we're not the only ones in the area having problems and that they will get back to us when they have an update.....basically, we're screwed!

Ups and Downs, It All Comes Around

Emerson received his level 2 teaching license, but he's still waiting for his special education endorsement.  Dexter got a job....selling Cutco knives.  He promises he's still going to look for other jobs.  Dwayne worked for one day at a temp job and may have a few more days coming up. The number of job listings out there have decreased significantly in the last two weeks, but the boys are chasing down leads.  Heritage's participation in the Rotary Club's golf tournament went well despite the troubled economy.  I was surprised to receive a lot of praise from those I worked with on the tournament committee.  We're gearing up now for the Scholarship Gala that Heritage is having in October.  My cucumber starts got eaten by something, but other things are growing and I even have a raspberry that is turning redder by the day.  Emerson claims that Etsy is my new addiction, my "crack," because of the time I am spending on there.  I've been fortunate in getting a few design jobs here and there and I'm determined to get this business going.  I've tried to help other people on Etsy and it seems to come back one way or another.  See my Etsy Madness blog for more on that.  Some of the positive things have been small, but I'm just glad they're happening. I have some amazing friends who are there for me when I need them.

Just the Right Medicine

It's no secret that I love powwows.  There is no place I would rather be.  The drumming, the singing, the dancing - it brings me peace and makes me happy.  There is an amazing sense of community at powwows and people really take care of each other.  With everything we've been dealing with lately, I just knew I needed to go to the Heber Valley Powwow this weekend.  Emerson's paycheck hadn't come in yet, so we had to carefully consider our options.  Emerson and I decided to go today since we could get the most for our admission fee.  We sat with our friends, the Cranks, and caught up with other friends-Johnny and Carol, Tilda, Charlotte, Winston, and so many others.  Emerson spent most of his time hanging out with Johnny at his Navajo taco stand.  I hung out with Angela and her kids and then with Tilda and her kids.  We talked about how much we miss "the good old days" when the kids were little and we all camped out together at the powwows. The music, the dancing, and the friends had me in good spirits in no time. If only life could be one long powwow...

Have Faith?

I'm struggling a bit right now to keep believing things will work out. The job search is frustrating the heck out of us and I don't know how long it will take before things get better.  Dwayne tried to get rehired at Heritage, but there were so many applicants and he didn't get the job.  We keep checking job listings everywhere we can, but times are pretty bleak.  I don't remember having things this tough except during the very early years of our little family.  The check engine light came on tonight in the car. I've done some design projects on Etsy, but they don't pay well yet. At least I've made a little money.  I don't like to post "downer" messages, but right now it's all I can think of.

Mi Rungito

The absolutely wonderful Rick and Holly stopped by tonight.  We talked gardening, of course, and history, E3, Dexter's college plans, road construction, job prospects, interesting people on mass transit, and the life of delivery drivers.  We went out to eat at one of our favorite spots, Mi Ranchito.  It is a family owned Mexican restaurant with the most delicious food. Emily (Dexter's girlfriend) came along and seemed to have fun talking cuisine with Rick and Holly.  About five minutes after Rick and Holly left for Bountiful, I realized I should have taken pictures. Dang it!!  Instead of photos, you are being treated to a slightly altered drawing to represent our honorable guests.
(For those wondering about the title of this post, Rick often adopts the nickname "Rungo")

Bloginess

You may have noticed that I changed this blog a bit. I've been the only contributor, so I figured it should reflect that.  Dwayne and Dexter each have their own blogs.  I have also started a new blog focused on my experiences having a shop on Etsy.  I'm hoping it will get more people to view my shop and perhaps the experiences I share will help others starting out with this online craft fair. In addition, my job now includes managing a blog for Heritage and a Facebook fan page as well.  With the economy being so tight, it's nice to have these tools to promote our program in such a global way at no cost.  I've enjoyed all of this since I love to write and it gives me opportunities to connect to more people.

To Be A Teacher

If you're not familiar with the adventurous process of becoming a licensed teacher, you are truly missing out on what feels like a giant scavenger hunt.  When Emerson first became a teacher, he at least had the assistance of Utah Valley University in getting everything together to be submitted to Utah's State Office of Education.  For the special education endorsement, Weber State University submitted the information on the classes he completed.  Emerson had to get evaluations done on his student teaching and submit them and then pass the Praxis exam (which he did).  We finally got the last of his teacher's work sample/portfolio together and sent it in on Monday.  Since Emerson's level 1 teaching license expires this month, he's been working on upgrading to his level 2 license.  That involved another Praxis exam (passed!) and getting recommendations and other paperwork signed.  The paperwork was actually the toughest part since his former boss at Heritage was not very accommodating. We also had to get paperwork signed by his current employer. Everything's now on its way to the state and he should be all upgraded and ready to go soon.  Our hope is that having the special education endorsement completed will open a few more doors.  Job openings for teachers in Utah are pretty limited and they're much pickier.  The really great news is that UVU plans to have Emerson teach the same special populations PE class next year.

Etsy

Selling stuff on Etsy has been an interesting adventure.  I managed my first sale by offering to make somebody a shop banner and avatar based on their business card at a super low price ($1).  Since I am new, I figured it was a good way to start getting some sales and feedback attributed to my name.  I've taken new pictures of my items so they don't look so boring and I've been creating treasuries (collections) to start some interaction with other Etsians.  Today I was pleased to find one of my items included in someone's treasury:  http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c0df206bd348eef82129867/dances-with-friends.  It has been a good way to try to sell some of our leftover craft projects and things Emerson's aunt has sent us to sell to help us out.  I'm working on my "graphic design" offerings since they are only a time investment and cost me nothing to create.  At least it makes me feel like I'm doing something and it's not as short lived as Ebay.

Blessings

Every so often it's a good idea to count the blessings in your life.  Not literally...just take note of them.  Life can get so crazy, hectic, and busy that we fail to see the good things happening all around us.  When it all piles up and the situation looks bleak, taking a look at the blessings in your life can give you a better perspective on life. 

Believe it or not, I am a person of great faith and I believe we have a Heavenly Father who gives us gifts, talents, life, and even challenges.  This is not meant to be preachy, just an attempt to share my feelings.

When Emerson lost his job at Heritage, it seemed like the end of the world.  We had never imagined this happening.  When I had my accident at the end of October, I realized the blessing it was to have him there to take care of me.  It just wouldn't have been possible if he had a full time job.  The situation also helped me to not be complacent or comfortable at work since you never know what tomorrow brings.  I'm also grateful to be able to walk again and won't ever take it for granted.

Another blessing in my life has been my willingness to learn and the strange creativity God has given me.  I say "strange" because I can't draw or paint like Dad, Sharon, or Kathy and I can't sing like Dexter or dance like Rick, and I certainly can't cook.  Despite that, I'm always wanting to learn how to do new things.  I can't always come up with ideas on my own, but I'm pretty good at taking one or more ideas from other people and adapting them to what I'm looking for. This is how my "design" career was born.  Everyone at work seems to need a poster for this, a flyer for that, a card, an invitation....I got pretty good at pulling things together and eventually learned to use PhotoShop well enough to do some pretty fun things.  The picture with this post is a Photoshop doodle I did.  All of this has made me very valuable at work and even my family finds it handy.

This will sound weird, but I feel it is a great blessing to not have wealth.  I appreciate the struggle to prioritize and how our family has to unite to make our way in the world.  Earning your way and having to work hard for it makes it all the better.  Despite the challenge, we are still able to be generous at times and it means a lot to sacrifice for a good cause. Many people have been there for us to help with church clothes, travel expenses, school costs, proms, etc. and we want to help where we can.

The turmoil of my childhood and my bipolar disorder are definite blessings.  I have been able to help so many people with their own problems or their child's problems because of my experience.  As I work with the youth at Heritage during the play each year, I see several who are just like I was in high school.  I can't erase their problems, but I can ease the pain a bit and point them in the right direction.  My bipolar has helped me to have my creativity and to accomplish a lot of things at a frenzied pace. I am also blessed to have received treatment for it so I can manage it fairly well. My friends and family help me to stay on top of it so it doesn't become a curse.

The biggest blessings in my life are my friends and family.  One of the best things about marrying into a Navajo family is the extended definition of family.  There is no other world where I feel more comfortable or feel like I belong than when with my Native American family.  Nothing against Emerson, but I feel like I was meant to marry into his family rather than just marry him.  "In law" is not derogatory in our world.  They've been there for me in every crisis to pick up the pieces.  I have friends who are definitely my sisters on this earth.  Tami is my chaplain and my sister in klutziness.  Angela is my powwow sister and we get together to eat chocolate and laugh about our Navajo hubbies.  Leslie is my practical spiritual sister and fellow Oregonian.

Faith is the one blessing I couldn't live without.  There has to be a purpose to life.  I am so grateful to have a Savior who atoned for my sins and knows how I feel.  When the rest of the world shuts me out, I know that He will listen.  With many of my struggles over the years, it is that faith that helped me to feel His guidance on what to do. No big visions or miracles, just that impression in the back of your mind that won't be quieted.  I think I would have abandoned ship years ago if not for His urging me to stay.

Other blessings include getting to talk to each of my parents before they passed away, getting to know my sister-in-law Tina's parents, having dogs who love me, gardening, learning to tat, finding long lost friends online, dancing at powwows, and having a home, and transportation, and a job.  Being a mom and getting to pass on to them my knowledge, my love for the arts, and, apparently, my general geekiness is pretty great too.  I've wandered off track here and there, but all is not lost.  I will just keep on doing my best and taking note of the blessings along the way, even when they are dressed as hardships.