debor026

Okay, I'm going to bring up the subject of money because, quite frankly, American tax laws suck. Somehow it feels like a very touchy thing to talk about on a blog but I'm so frustrated with our system and I really have to idea what to do about it. We now have W2s in hand and have begun the process of figuring out how much money is Uncle Sams and how much is ours. Along the way it occured to us to wonder about the "marriage penalty" seeing as we are planning on getting married this year. So, just for idle curiosity, I did a "what if we were married" and we calculated the taxes. And, WOW. Assuming that our incomes don't change we could expect to be penalized a LOT of money for being married, and we're talking thousands of dollars. Part of that is a change in tax brackets and part of that is the losses of several deductions. It would turn our refunds into a gigantic neon sign saying "money owed". I could cry right now. Of course, that ...

I've heard several times that Valentine's day was simply made up by the card companies. I'm guessing there's truth to that and if it is then you've got to hand it to their marketing guy as that was brilliant. Still, I'm pretty thankful for it. Christmas is well timed right as winter is really getting going to give us lots of pretty lights and and color to tide us over for a while but after a big bang of New Year's we really don't have much again until spring. I don't know about you but I get a little blue when every day is gray and dark. So Valentine's day is actually very well timed to bring a lovely bunch of color into our days right when we need it and enough to tide us over till spring. So, yes, maybe it's all about marketing but even so: Yay! This photo made Explore on flickr this morning (#500 but still...) and I'm a little giddy about it. Yay again for color! EDIT: It's up to #89 . I've never done that before. If c...

These are my recent favorites from flickr and I must admit that I'm stumped. I generally see some kind of trend in other people's favorites; a subject, color, something. But this is such an eclectic mix. Coffee cups and color is the best I can come up with but more than half don't fit that. Anyway, if you have time then go check out some of these amazing photographers (BTW, #3 is much better than the thumbnail). And does anyone know why #12 won't show up? Is that a user preference to disallow inclusion or a mistake on the part of BigHugeLabs? 1. [Darkfield] Strawberry splash , 2. Martini splash , 3. Night Reading , 4. 27/365 choc mousse! , 5. News (25/365) , 6. 28:365 varm kakao , 7. Wallflower , 8. 100128_Sorry , 9. Day 28/365 , 10. 01/24/2010 Juicy , 11. 365_027 , 12. Perspective , 13. Birthday cake , 14. 27/365 How much espresso can you take? , 15. 365 [27] , 16. 27/365 morning sky, 7am , 17. Neighborhood waterfall 27:365 , 18. crayons , 19. Jan 27/2010 Candles ...

6 years ago today a baby was born around 4:30 in the afternoon. She was the third born of three, the baby. For the first couple years her brothers played with her all the time and did whatever she told them too. When she was one her big brother would even open the front door when she wanted out and so her parents bought a deadbolt that needed a key even from the indside. She was full of mischief from the start and you could tell those eyes had a plan. But she was very helpful. Want the dishwasher unloaded? No problem. Then she discovered jewelry. And coffee (well, actually hot cocoa but at Starbucks) And suddenly this morning I am no longer looking at my baby. Hand her some construction paper and a roll of tape and she'll give you back a birdcage or a new board game. She's creative and a little crazy and a complete ham. She has a boyfriend and (so his mother tells me) they've gotten "married". Today is his birthday too. Taking this picture this morning I...

I really hate those days (or weeks) when I have no words. It seems like I'm incredibly busy with work, with kids, with life and yet there is absolutely nothing to talk about. Maybe that's why I like photography so much. Photographs can say something all by themselves so maybe sometimes we don't have to. Like this one. I know why he's making that face. I know that I caught it during the whole 5 seconds it was on his face and then it was gone. But, if I don't say why, maybe it's better? Because then anyone who sees it can use their imagination for the reasons his eyes have that expression. And possibly they'll relate to that idea more than the real one? How about you? Have you ever made up in your mind what a photo was about only to find out that wasn't it? And if so, which did you like better? Do you always explain your photos or do you let some stand by themselves?

We spent a few lovely hours at the park today before the new storms start rolling in. There was a little hide and seek: I see you! Think she'll find daddy? And then some hot chocolate to warm back up again. What are you up to today? I hope you're enjoying your weekends!

Over at Room to Inspire I saw a cute little picture frame that Scrabble tiles were placed on to make the crossed LOVE YOU. It was so cute but I didn't want to break up my scrabble set so I figured why not "make" my tiles? I grabbed a scrap piece of 2x2 and cut some 1/4" thick pieces off with the compound miter saw. I cut a couple of extra pieces while I was at it just in case I flubbed a couple. Then I took them inside and sanded the edges a little with some sand paper. (nevermind my very ugly coffee table. I REALLY need to go to KnockOffWood and make this table!) Next just sketch out the letters on your blocks trying to keep them even with each other. You could also print out your letters on a piece of cardstock and cut them out with an exacto knife for a more precise stencil (next time I'll use a stencil myself but this time I was impatient to try it out). I just used a little craft paint and small brushes and filled them in while watching some TV during m...