I've Been... Everywhere!?

Where have I been? I have been everywhere except blogging it would seem. April, May, and now June of 2015 have been jam-packed. 

Highlights include:

~ Karlene's 10th Birthday!

~ Camping with Karlene at Hawn State Park and in southern Illinois (two different trips).

~ Taking Karlene to Felix Valle home in Ste Gen, MO.

~ Wrapping up the year at my "day job" & really enjoying some of the Photo II projects my students created with their digital images... they all came up with "tangible" items like quilts, candles, lamps, and more! I have been inspired to make a lamp for Karlene & I this summer (or fall). 

~ Finally going to Clearwater Lake (in Missouri) to fish with my parents and Karlene. 
~ Visiting my Grandma not once, but twice!
~ Events at our church, my school, Karlene's school, and a suprise B-day party for one of Karlene's classmates who is having serious health issues. He was diagnosed with cancer this spring (prayers for Alec are highly appreciated). 

~ Catching up with friends over lunches and dinners and walks.
~ Being accepted into the Soulard Art Market show "Seeing Red" that starts on June 12th. I have two photographs in the show. Trips with my mom seem to pay off photographically, eh? 

~ Speaking of my mom... Laughing with my mom over a new show we love on Netflix. "Grace and Frankie" is our "Netflix Date Night" thing these days! Have an open mind and be prepared to laugh. 
~ Having a year with my Broadcast students that I feel like our "body of work" is strong enough to enter some NSPA Story of the Year and Pacemaker contests. This is the first time in a few years I felt we had work we should enter...like it really has a chance at placing. Win or lose, I am very happy with the work my students did this year. If you want to see some of it, go to www.bluejayjournal.com 

~ Got the sides and floor of my deck replaced finally. Not looking forward to staining it later this summer or early fall, but for now it is so much safer and the wood is NEW. Next stop: two new ceiling fans downstairs on the main level! 
~ And, a real highlight is this: all those rocks Karlene and I hauled in to create flower beds look so good this spring/summer. The plants are coming in nicely and things are looking more "established" - now I just need to make a few more! The lawn & flower beds are a never-ending process.

~ I have also had some fun photo shoots and have TONS of images to sort through from all the above-mentioned trips... and I have sold a few canvas pieces to a client for her new addition at her home. When I know there's some people out there who like what I create, it keeps me clicking!

As I typed the above list, I was reminded of another list I posted right here months ago. It was my goals for 2015. 

Now that I am taking time to review that list, and compare it to what I just mentioned above, it would seem I am doing pretty well at accomplishing those initital goals. I think for fun and as a reminder to myself, I am going to re-post it here... 

7 more months of 2015 left... and I want to stay focused (maybe it'll help me get back to painting my dresser since the headboard is done and in use now).

Originally posted in January:

I made a serious "agenda" for 2015 and plan on sticking to it. 
Here it is:
#1. Something I want to go for to help my career... that if happens will help me with the #2 thing I want to go for to help my career...  
#3. Camp more. 
#4. Hike more. 
#5. Help my daughter (the K of MK Designs) take more ownership of her school work and education, yet continue to help her grow her love of the Lord and others, hopefully continue to grow more empathy, and more compassion... 
#6. Get my financial house and my actual house in better working order. DECK and whatnot! (which also includes getting my lower level rented again) 
#7. Continue to grow my relationship with Jesus Christ and try to practice more of His teachings in how I love others.  
#8. Continue to spend more time with my Grandma in 2015. 
#9. Try to continue to grow clients for my MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait work. 
#10. Be the best mom, teacher, daughter, friend, etc. I can possibly be.
#11. GET ME A BEDROOM SET! BAM! Had a kicking bedroom set in 2009, that along with the bed "left the premises" that year. While I did replace the bed in 2010, I never got a bedroom set. I have one in my garage now courtesy of my aunt Shirley.

P.S. I saw these rocks just last week at Giant City State Park (Illinois) and it hit me someone had a lot of patience to stack them so carefully. Just like my 2015 goals I set that I am patiently working through... it's all a balancing act, but the end result is pretty sweet! 

Until next time,
~ M of MK Designs
June 2015