The best $5 you'll ever spend...

Are you sick and tired of the absence of photos on the ole blog? I'll tell you what, SO AM I!

Over here at the Ruchus, it's been one fiasco after another. First the virus, then the antivirus that removed the internet drivers, then the repair shop (my wonderful brother), then of all things...in the absence of my computer I had put away my camera usb cable so as not to lose it while I wasn't using it and...you know what happens next...I LOST IT!! So, I finally have a beautiful camera, a fixed computer, a thousand pictures and no way to share them. What's a picture if you keep it to yourself I ask? Well, today I could take it no more! I just happened to be at Target and thought to myself..."Self, today is the day you find a stinkin new cord for your camera!" So, I was looking all over for a cord, none of which was to be found of course, but then I stumbled upon this...


Now, I for sure didn't know what it was, but it seemed like I could use it to transfer pictures without a cord and by the way it was only $5 so really, what did I have to lose? Can I just say that I am happier than a pig in mud? So happy in fact that I scrubbed my kitchen floor on my hands and knees with spic and span tonight? I'm not really sure what being happy has to do with me scrubbing the floor, but let's just say that floor hasn't seen hands and knees and far too long! I was downloading pictures, scrubbed some of the floor, edited some pictures, scrubbed some more floor...you get the picture (boo hiss, bad pun I know) However...I am now fully able to share such pictures with you such as this... My beautiful daughter and her boyfriend at homecoming. I know it looks like they were in Sears, but really...we were at the park and the background is real...


Or this...my new beautiful baby great-niece Ashlyn...oooooohhhhh is she sweet. She's already become quite accustomed to the flash of my camera ;)

Then of course there's this...It can't really be autumn without at least one beautiful picture of the maple in my front yard...and this year with my new Digital SLR, the photo is more beautiful than ever (if I don't say so myself!)

And then finally there's this... My big girl turned 17 last month. Can you believe it? Where has the time gone? I just got a peek at the proposed school calendar for the 2010-2011 school year and [gulp] there in black and white is my big girl's graduation day...oh dear, let me breathe a minute. Whew, I think I'm ok now. There'll be no more speaking of the G word...at least for a few months.

A-N-Y-W-A-Y....my point is...if you don't own one of those whos-a-ma-jig-its...and you want a super convenient way to transfer your pictures...get yourself one of those! It's the best $5 you'll ever spend! Until next time...

What an awesome place the library is...

First of all, please excuse me for ending the title with the word is. It doesn't sit well with me as I'm sure it doesn't sit well with some of you...but that is the way it is today.

I have discovered...that I really must get out more. I mean really. It has also occurred to me that I have missed so much being in graduate school for what seems like forever. Between the 3 jobs, the internship, and the first round of graduate school...there are things in life I missed. Like being at home.

Today's post isn't about being at home however, it's about going out. Tonight the big girl, the sonshine and I went to the library, then to Big Lots, and then to the pet store. I, for one, could fart around (not literally, ok, maybe sometimes literally, no not really, well maybe, not) ANYWAY, I could wander around endlessly in stores and look at stuff, and marvel at how cheap the prices are at the Big Lots, and how I thought this pet store went out of business, but lo and behold, here it is in a new location in a mall, and I could REALLY marvel at all the goings on in the library...families playing games, youth groups in the computer lab, classes going on, families with young children reading and checking out books together, local history...I was amazed! Evidently it had been MUCH too long since I had been experienced the splendor of the library. It was a wonderful day to stop and smell the roses, or the books if you will. I'm so glad not to have missed it!

Help from the blogosphere is needed...

For those of you that have read my blog for some time, you know that I lost my pastor earlier this year. You also know that it has been clearly the most difficult loss I have faced to date. Firstly, it was so unexpected...secondly, it was something that I had never,in my wildest dreams, prepared myself for. I always envisioned Pastor Kerr, old and gray, presiding at my funeral. Along with my personal struggle, I know that his family continues to struggle as well, and I continue to pray for them daily.

One thing that I may or may not have shared with you through all of this, is that my Pastor's son William and my big girl were born on the same day, at the same hospital. They were raised in our church family together...and on Monday they will be 17. Here's where you come in. I want to share a letter with you from William's mom...


Hi e-mail buddy's :o)

The 26th of Oct. is my son William's birthday (he'll be 17). I worry about him this year for many reasons, so I need your help. I want to do something special for him but he's a guy so he says "no way". I would like to surprise him by giving him a Birthday Card party. Please send him a funny birthday card and please send this e-mail to ANYBODY in the world. I would love to see him get cards from all over the world (it won't matter if they're late). I know I'm thinking kind of big but I'm a mom who loves her son and I need to do something. All of those "first" this year have been very hard on us just as any family who has lost someone as important as my son's father. So please help make this a day that he will remember, a day that people cared.

William Kerr
4522 Galleon Dr.
Loves Park, ILL. 61111


Thank you from a Mothers Heart,
Debbie Kerr


So there you have it....Please send this to everyone on your blogrolls and your email contact list and lets see if we can't get this boy thousands of birthday cards from around the world. Send your today. I'm counting on you!

Please stay tuned...

I know it's been the longest blogging break in history for me...but here's the thing. The computer wizard is coming to town this weekend (Thank God his grandaughter is having a birthday) and I should be back up and running! Thanks for your patience

The computers are winning again...

We.Have.Issues.

Computer Issues.

Our current status includes the following...

One computer out for repair...needs a hard drive scrub, but has hundreds of pictures on it I need to remove first.

One computer has my beautiful new camera software but no internet.

One computer has no software but internet

One computer is a laptop and is doing the best it can.

So...

Still no pictures.

I'm trying to figure out a go-fight-win song, so that I, for a change, can win against the computers. That day is not today...

It's windy, can you feel it?

The winds of change are a blowin here at the Ruchus...it's time to buckle down, and get some stuff done. In just a few weeks I hope to have photos for you of my scrap room's amazing transformation, from a relativly useless storage space, to MY space. My space to contemplate and to create. I can't wait! Among other things...I have decided October 3rd, is diet day for me...back to Weight Watchers...it is SO time. I've been working ever so slightly on changes in my life and have decided it is time to kick it into full gear. It is becoming evident to me how much growing my kids have done and what a short period of time I have left with them. It is important to utilize every day to the fullest!

My fabulous boss is helping me with one of my primary weaknesses...organization. Everyone marvels at how much I accomplish, but it is usually at a price to me. I have not been sleeping well lately, often waking up throughout the night with the never ending to do list on my mind. My work load is astounding, add to that household responsibilities, a second job, aging parents, grad school, three super busy teenagers and a marriage and wow! Organization is really the key to keeping it all together. As you know from previous posts, I was hit with quite a sever bout of depression recently. For whatever reason it seems to be lifting and the clouds are being replaced with sunny hopeful skies. Thanks for everyone's love and support.

I have some fabulous pictures to share, but I'm still having a few computer issues. I have camera software on one computer but not internet, and internet on the other computer but not software! As soon as we become resynchronized around here computer wise, I'm sure you'll be wowed!

We are super busy preparing for homecoming, fall, the family reunion, and three birthdays the month of October. I've also put together a committee to plan my class reunion yet this year, since no one else stepped up, and it's our 25th! Brennan has his x-rays on Wednesday, has been cleared to wear a shoe, but still isn't able to walk on his foot. Hopefully Wednesday's x-rays will give him the all clear to begin physical therapy and he can begin to move on with the recovery process.

We have had to make some rather painful decisions around here regarding our pets. I have an older dog that has begun having potty issues and I'm pretty sure I cannot deal with that. We've tried doggie diapers but that seems to be humiliating to him and frustrating to me...so time will tell. He has joint issues and is getting quite old. I'm thinking before the weather gets really cold, which is really hard on him...perhaps it will be time...what a great sadness. His beautiful eyes and gentle ways will be so missed. He has been my napping companion for the past 8 years. When I'm really stressed and can't sleep, I call him up onto the bed and with his warm self and snuggles, I almost instantly fall asleep. This decision leaves a definite ache in my heart. I hope by beginning the process now, I'll be able to work through the sadness and send him to heaven in November. (sighs heavily)

It also seems I need to begin letting go of my big girl. With dance, working, social life, and academics, she hardly has time to be helping around the house. Is it time to remove her from the chore list? I'm not sure. PSAE's are coming, ACT's, class rank, college visits...wow! Where has the time gone? As she transitions out of high school, my precious one begins. I absolutely love that my children are so close together and treasure the time when they will all be in high school together. I think the most special part is because I am on the school board, I'll be able to hand them their diplomas when they graduate. Many tissues will be required on those days!

So, you're a little caught up now with all things Ruchus...oh wait...I was in Arizona last week caring for my mama after her most recent surgery. I am so grateful everyday that I have a wonderful job that says...you need time off? Go! ...no guilt, no questions, just support. When I return there are genuine questions of concern about my mom. Even from our CEO! I know I've said it before, but I am SO truly blessed with the amazing job I have and with the amazing people I work with. When I was praying last year...God was listening and he surely went above and beyond my wildest dreams when I landed this job. God is so good!

The Ruchus is wishing everyone a bountiful fall. Enjoy the crisp air, the beautiful leaves, and try to take a moment to relish in all things wonderful. If you know someone who's suffering (and I know far too many people right now) lend a hand...say a prayer...let them know you care.

A funk so low even Arby's can't fix it...

Yes, I'll have...well, let me see...that, that, that, that, let's just say one of everything on the left side of the menu...plus a chocolate shake. What's that you say? $402? Let me rethink that a minute...small rootbeer, fabulous turkey sandwich, no onion, no mustard, no cheese, cheese sticks...yes I know I ordered no cheese on the sandwich and oh yeah...one of those dreamy chocolate shakes with the chocolate syrup stuck on the sides. Yum.my.

42,812 calories later...I'm still in a funk. It may be time to call in the professionals.