Birth, Rebirth, Death, Life

Today was all about Bob - Mr. Oliver - owner, now retired, of Oliver Electric.  The VHM's boss.

His amazing wife, DeeDee; Mike, longtime friend; Marissa, employee (but family really) - all planned a surprise birthday party for Bob.  Today was the day after weeks of caution and subterfuge.

Our little family met Marissa at the Hyvee to pick up the cake, balloons, and other sundries. 

Hyvee had managed to lose Marissa's order.  She was amazingly calm.  A lesson for me to learn.  They worked it out - Hyvee said they could get it to us via delivery in an hour.

We went on to the location of the event and set up table, chairs, decorations, etc.  It was us and a bunch of other helpers - so it went smoothly and quickly.

Me and Balloons - the car smelled like balloon!

Cake

Mike, his gal, Bob (in center), girl and VHM in back

Marissa (photographer) & a 1/2 ton of smoked meat (Mike's doing)

There was a lot of hugging.

I managed to screw up the video of Bob's entry - but suffice to say - he was surprised and a great time was had by all.  I also didn't take enough pictures. I suck.

It was a special day yesterday for my stepson too.  I really can't say enough good things about Z.  He's one of my blessings, and we almost lost him last year to a devastating pneumonia.  If you've ever stood watch by the bedside of a loved one when critically ill - it's not something that leaves you any time soon.  He's done hard work to get healthy over the last year.  I am so very proud of him.  I am also blessed that I learned with some help of new friends - how to love and not judge; how love is more important than forcing someone to do "what is right"; how my relationship to Z can be strong no matter his choices - no matter what I think; if I choose it to be so.  And I do. My love for him will never falter - no matter what.

I also received sad news today.

Last year was a hard year for the industry I work in.  We lost a lot of lives and other traumas occurred. One of those was a bad auto accident, which injured a number of people, but most devastatingly, Arwen Rosa.   Arwen was left a quadraplegic, his girlfriend, Jill was also injured and at the time was pregnant with their child.  Jill went on to give birth to Odessa and marry Arwen earlier this year.



This morning, Arwen passed away.  My heart is with Jill and their child; and the community at large who lost a good guy, friend, brother, son, father, and husband.  RIP Arwen.












and life must and does continue...

The next big thing:

Work on logo, and “tag line”[the VHM is working on this - but so far, well, um...he's not getting too far]

Work on bio

Take better pictures of product

[I still need to do the three above but I skipped em for now in favor of getting the Etsy Store up and running - I can add to and tweek this in the future]

Develop "mail introduction" for stores outside the area -[worked on it, not completed]
Do some work on Etsy 
Write draft bio for Z -send to him for review
Do WHCC order for Z's cards DONE!
Check stock on clear bags
Set up Z's images with watermarks for etsy posting

Random Photo of the Day: 

That's the girl in the purple. 

In California at the International Yoga Championships.

Dropped a chair. Ooops.