Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 14:43:00 +0000

November is national adoption awareness month. (note that I did not say national Let's celebrate adoption month.) I'm know we are all likely aware of adoption, but I don't think we're all likely aware of the implications and complexities of adoption. Thus the awareness part of national adoption awareness month.

Is there something you've always wanted to ask about adoption but never did? Ask me.
Is there something that's stopping you from adopting? Tell me what it is.
Do you know someone who has or is adopting and you want to be a better support to them? Let's talk about that.
Does it scare you? Good. It should. We can go there.
Are you worried about picking the right words to say something or worse saying the wrong things and offending them? The lingo is fraught with hurdles and I can explain it.
Were you dying to ask that lady in the check-out line of the Target about her adoption since she had a little brown baby with her, but you didn't know if you should so you just smiled at her instead? I'd like to tell you if you should say anything at all.
What's this trauma all about and can't I avoid it by adopting a very young baby?
How much does it cost?

Go ahead and ask me! I will tell you the honest truth as I see it.

13 years since we started down the path of adoption, and 11 years since we adopted our not-so-little any more Tess & Jude, and then Mimi and Ru after that, and my opinions and and thoughts on the subject have evolved profoundly over those years. I wish I knew so much more back in the beginning than I did them. I wish I had done things differently, I wish I had someone to ask who had been there and done that, and did it again and then has several years to stew in it all and would share those thoughts with me.

Grocery Budget: $125 a week

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:42:00 +0000

I'm cheap.
Stingy.
Parsimoniously.
A penny pincher.
Tight fisted.
Frugal.

Good or bad and regardless of what we call it, I'm pretty much that when it comes to our grocery budget! Because in my head it affords us to spend money in other ways, like all the expenses those wonderful 8 kids of ours require! Or perhaps a well-earned mom-dad only trip to Hawaii? Yeah, that kind of stuff.

I've always gotten lots of questions about how I feed our family so affordably, so I thought I'd use this as a discussion prompt and tell you how I do it and what works for our family. This is just us and what works for us. I'm sure there are as many other ways to budget food/groceries as there are families! Truth be told, I used to feed our family on $100 a week 'cause the budget was super tight, and we were paying college tuition for 3 kids, and we needed a new roof, and I needed a new car and... and... and... and honestly the budget is still tight, (8 kids and all) but several years ago we decided to increase the budget to $125 per week, adding extra $100 a month that affords us a bit more convenience food and luxuries. Yes, this includes soaps and cleaners, paper products...

If you want to feed and provide for your family on a budget, the first thing I'll tell you is that you need to budget both your time and your money, and you need to regularly meal plan. For me, not doing any of these things leads to extra expense. I meal plan every Sunday for the following week. For our family it works best if I plan 4 (dinner) meals per week. The other 3 nights are usually going out to eat, or going to Granna and Grandpa's house for dinner, or left-over night or late lunches followed by cold cereal nights. That kind of stuff. If I plan more than 4 meals per week it seems that we end up wasting food, and that's expensive. The 4 younger children make their school lunches each morning 5 days per week. Breakfast and lunch stuff is always kept in supply. Snack foods are mostly raw fruits and veggies, and convenience foods (like pre-prepared anything) are at a minimum. I cook dinner about 4-5 days per week, (usually around noon time. Our slow cooker is a workhorse!) I set aside time every Sunday to meal plan for the whole upcoming week, place my order and pick up groceries via curbside pick up each Monday morning. Never setting foot in the store helps me save money too and I'd rather spend my time cooking than shopping. I additionally shop for produce 1 per week usually on Wednesday or Thursday morning. And very little food goes to waste in our house, as I can usually figure out how to incorporate anything into a future snacks/meal/food.

This week's menu is
Tostadas with rice
Chicken curry with rice
Hoppin' Johns with a salad
Chicken legs with broccoli and corn on the cob
Pizza night on Friday

This week's grocery total is $98.76 to which I'll still need to add about $25 for additional produce. This week is pretty normal for us.

Things not included in this budget are
1) Several times per year, about every other month, we shop at a discount store and buy some food items like lunch meat, canned tomatoes, sausages... spending an additional $100 per trip. I'll freeze and use these items for future meal planning.
2) Friday is always pizza night. 3 pizzas from Domino's @ approx $25.
3) Several times per year, about every other month, we shop at the Asian grocery store and stock up on coconut milk, rice, rice noodles... About $50 per trip.

Soooo... ask away! Tell me... what's your budget and how do you make it work for your family? Make a plan and save some money!

PS-I don't like Walmart, but they have free curbside pick-up and that works with my parsimonious budget. And they are ridiculously friendly and nice so, it is what it is.

#MondayTheMiraculous

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:57:00 +0000

1-Thank you.
2-I didn't know something like that was survivable.
3-I didn't know I was a dog person. My kids say I am now.
4-Thank you!

I've gained a deeper appreciation for the fact that I'm the kind of gal that processes things by talking about them. I talk about stuff that weighs on me. A lot. In depth. In detail. I'm the type of gal that not only shares openly, but seeks out and embraces the tribe for comfort. Thank you for those that read my IG and Facebook posts last week and saw the photos and commented on the story and reached out and said How is Monday doing? How are you doing? If you're one of the small handful that I spilled my guts to, thank you so much for having a strong stomach and a stronger shoulder for me to cry on. If you're one of the 2 people that I was texting the whole time it was happening, (you know who you are!) thank you.

Things stand like this now.
Monday survived something we didn't know was survivable. nThe she survived the 2 1/2 hour surgery, and after that she survived the never-came but we were on the lookout for infection and sepsis. We have passed through the critical period and are thrilled to say that she's most certainly going to 1-live and 2-go back to being her blissfully ignorant, sweet, puppy self! And man oh man are we so grateful and lucky to say that!

At this point, I'm gonna kinda describe a bit of what happened.
Kinda.
But... I want to warn you... if you're a "dog person" or sensitive or have a history of trauma that you're still dealing with, prone to take on other people's trauma, or feel an animal's pain... you know that sort of stuff, please stop reading here. I promise that I'll love you all the same! I don't want you to internalize yucky stuff.

So here is what happened is...

Monday had her spay surgery on Thursday. Unbeknownst to us, her incision, somehow, came apart. When you were a kid you ever read the book "Where the Red Fern Grows?" On Saturday, something like that happened. It was awful. I mean it was awful! It was bloody. It was a shocking and traumatizing event. Mimi was the one that initially discovered Monday with her insides out, and all 5 of the children that were home witnessed it. What happened afterwards was also not great. Papa and I trying to transport Monday to the vet also has lots of stuff that I rather not remember, but I do. The sounds of both Monday and my family. The smell (I had no idea that blood in that quantity has a distinct smell!) The sight of it all and our reactions to it. In the end, Monday had about 1/3 of her intestines removed.

But as I was telling a friend, as awful as it was, there were so many little blessing throughout the story too: that neither of the other 2 dogs that were there, got involved in the scenario, (which could have easily and naturally happened 'cause dogs are dogs.) That both Papa and I were home when it happened. That Mimi discovered it almost immediately (within a 60 second time frame) and alerted me immediately. That Monday didn't initially flip out or even wander around in that condition. That it happened on a Saturday at 6pm where there was little traffic. That we landed with the best surgical vet in the state. So unlucky as this was, some parts were very lucky!

How? Why?
We just don't know, and truth be told we aren't at a point to even think that part of it yet. And honestly it doesn't matter to us right now. Right now what matters to us is that she survived, and she's still bringing ridiculous amounts of joy into this crazy family, which is good stuff indeed!

For the next week-ish she's confined to my bedroom with her cone of shame and getting lots of mandatory quiet resting and recuperating time, which is HARD for a puppy. The fact that it's hard for her is a wonderful sign she's getting back to herself at the same time. I just wanted to fill those of you who wanted to know in, and be sure and say thank you so much for those that said a little prayer for us, the kids, the husbands too, and sent their good vibes and thoughts our way. It looks like this crazy thing is gonna have a happy ending and for all that we are so grateful!

Doodle Bath

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:20:00 +0000

Mimi loves to do this.

And she loves to do this often!

Monday... not so much. But she tolerates Mimi's love language which is evidently acts of service, specifically giving baths to puppies in the kitchen sink.

Right about this time last spring, Papa and I were thinking of some ways to bring some more joy and happiness into our home. Honestly I didn't have get a dog on my radar since we lost our Spirit about 18 months prior, and honestly it still hurt my heart to think about. Still does. But... there were a few people in the house that really needed some more honest-to-goodness unconditional dog love, and so when Papa brought it up, I thought about it, and yeah, I agreed. Enter Truly.

And then poor Truly didn't know what hit here when she landed in the Crazy house! An abundance of love and hands were being showered upon her 24/7. Honestly it just wasn't enough dog to go around. So this time it was me that brought up to Papa that maybe we should get another puppy. Enter Monday.

Honestly I'm not a small dog person, but I got outvoted by the family and started searching for the bigger small dogs that would be a match for our family. In hindsight, smaller dogs have been a great for our family, and I'm ridiculously happy that counter surfing is no longer an issue. Open-dishwasher surfing is an issue, but whatever!

Truly and Monday both mini bernedoodles, (half Bernese Mountain dog and half poodle. Toy poodle to be specific, (And because you're now probably asking yourself Nancy how in the world did that happen? I'm going to say that I'm guessing nature was assisted by artificial insemination. Just guessing folks!) and have the same dad and their moms were sisters. They weigh/will weigh between 25-30 lbs when they are full grown. They do have to be regularly groomed and brushed. and even though I thought that would be a lot of work going in, it really hasn't been. Actually I kinda look forward to it! The fact that Truly doesn't shed and Monday only minimally sheds is the icing on the cake! Truly is a 65 year old lady stuck in a sausage dog body, and her sister cousin, Monday, isn't the sharpest light bulb in the shed.

If you would have told me a year ago in that we'd have TWO dogs I would have said you were crazy... but really they do bring us all so much joy, and despite all the chewed up things and puppy vomit and razor sharp teeth and vet bills and... and... and... I'm overjoyed that we now have 2 dogs in our home.

And Mimi, our future veterinarian, agrees!

Update: Mimi's bday!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 22:03:00 +0000

What?

Wait!
WHEN did this happen?
Wasn't she just yesterday that sweet, little baby that was barely toddling about?

Nope!

Now she's just 9 years old going on 15, and it's true what they say: As you get older times goes by even more quickly. I guess it's one of the repercussions of being a mom of "advanced maternal age:" this lightening fast pace at which they grow up.
***sigh***

What's your favorite color?
Golden. Because it’s sparkly, and it looks pretty.

Please nobody correct her and tell her gold is actually a color, instead of golden. I beg you!

Do you have a best friend?

My best friend is Natalie. But my best friend at the cabin is Annabelle.

What type of job do you want to have when you get older?
I want to be a vet so I can help animals. For example I would work in a veterinarian's office and and would help stray animals and dogs and cats.

What do you think you're life will be like 30 years from now?
In 30 years I’ll be taller. And I know that I'll have dogs and a house. Probably 3 dogs. And maybe nobody would live with me because I might not get married. When I grow up I want to remember that I was little and that I liked girly stuff.

What is something you do really well?
I am nice. I let people play the games they want to play if they want to play that game even if I don't. And I play with people when they ask me too. I like to help people, like when they drop something I pick it up for them.

What is something you're been working at getting better at?

I'm trying hard to not be a baby. I’m trying to explain my problems instead of just saying, "Stop!"

What is something you remember about this last year?
I remember that one time when I was 8, we went to Disneyland. We went on the pirate ride, and we watched the pirates steal money, and they had sword fights, and they had lots of gold! I was kinda scared of it then, but I want to go again soon!

So Mimi has not surprisingly continued to be a lover of all things girly, including glitter, pink, ruffles, sparkles, shiny things, lip goo's, dresses, unicorns, twirling and skipping, dressing up the puppies, princesses, and pastel colors. She's nearly always wearing a smile and is absolutely a glass-half-full kind of gal.

Love you to the moon and back and then some my sweet, wonderful, growing-up-way-too-fast girl!

Update: Ru, the birthday boy!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:47:00 +0000

Lookie who had a birthday this week!

Hi Ru,
Can I write you a little letter for your birthday. Maybe it's something you won't really like or even want right now, but maybe later, maybe a couple decades from now, you'll like it. Maybe your children will read it over after I'm long gone and have a better appreciation of where you came from way back when. Maybe they'll like it. Or even there kids. So here it goes.

This week you turned 9 years old. It's been our 9th birthday on this planet and your 2nd birthday with us. And unlike last year, this your you understood what birthday's are all about and your were giddy with anticipation about yours!

9 amazing years that have taken you so far, literally and figuratively. There's so much I don't and won't ever know about the first 7 years of your life, although we have a few pics to help us think we know what some things were like. But really can a few pics really tell us that much? I know you went through a lot. I know you went through 6 surgeries and a lots of firsts without us. I know you're crazy ridiculous strong and brave, but I'm not sure if these are traits that you were born with or ones that you developed in those first 7 years. I know you're a glass-half full guy and I know that you love living your life to the fullest. You smile. You beam. You radiate strength and soaking in everything around you. I think we should all take some lessons in that from you!

You do remember China and every once in a while we discover something new about your time there. When asked, you said you remember the homework and the games you played when you were living there. You said birthdays were fun in China too, but they were different. You told us that when it's your birthday in China you (and the other kids when it was their birthday) got a cake, and there's a bag with toys in it. You said the toys aren't from any person, just a bag of toys. And each child would gets to keep the all the presents in the bag for about a week, and then the toys would be shared amongst the children. It makes me so happy to know you have fond memories of your time in China before you joined our family.

Your favorite food is food. Pretty much all of it. In the last 2 years you've really expanded what you eat. You still don't care for biscuits and gravy. You're pretty sure it's the devil on a plate. Or cheese or butter. But there are many foods that at first you didn't like you now enjoy like spaghetti and ice cream!

You're favorite color is green. It is one of the few things that has not changed over the last couple years. You said you liked green the best the very first day we got you and you still do!

For about the last year, you're commented on many occasions that when you grow up you want to be a teacher, an elementary school teacher specifically. I think that means you've had some wonderful teachers in your life already! I couldn't agree more! I think you'd make a wonderful teacher!

One of your favorite things to do, still, is play games. I swear that mind of yours is always strategizing and game playing! Recently you got a kid's Monopoly game and will play it for hours on end, even by yourself if nobody else wants to join you! You told me that you like it because "it takes a while and you get to do lots of counting with the money!" Chess is another game that you enjoy. You're in an after-school chess club and your chess teacher says you love to strategize. And you've been going to Friday night chess tournaments and even have 2 trophies to show for it!

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, you said it would be Hawaii. You said you wanted to go there so you could go surfing and enjoy the beach. I think you've been listening to Papa and me talk about our recently booked trip to Hawaii, which sadly you will not be going on 'cause mom and dad need a little alone time! But it's okay little dude. Maybe someday I'll take you to Hawaii, and until then, we can hit a beach and do some surfing that's a little closer, okay.

I hope every single birthday for the rest of your life is met with such joy and enthusiasm, my son.
It's all my pleasure.

Update: Tess

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:53:00 +0000

On February 29, 2008, I saw this gorgeous picture for the first time.

11 years ago today, I saw this gorgeous face for the first time.

My girl. My daughter. And I pretty much knew it was her when I first saw her,

But I was completely unaware and unprepared of how much this single person would change me forever!

Tess is 5 months old in this photo. It was her referral pic. The first time I saw her, knew her name, knew who she was and that she existed. We had been waiting to our referrals for a while and I was so excited to know who she was. The first things I noticed about this pic was those lovely bow tie lips, her broad nose and those amazing dark eyes that even at 5 months old, that even in a photo just seemed to piece right through you to the soul of you!

Tess and Jude's adoption was hard. If it could have gone wrong it did, and after a crazy long battle with so many turns and huge delays, I found myself in a very large conference call with legislators, lawyers, US government officials and lots of very anxious and upset adoptive parents. Yeah, really, legislators and lawyers. ***gulp*** And in the midst of that life-changing phone call, I prayed, mustered all the bravery could, unclicked the mute button, and pleaded with anyone who would listen to help the special need's children come home and get time-sensitive the medical attention they needed. Someone listened to me, and we were on a plane within a week as the Vietnam adoption program closed around us.

Neither Tess or Jude fared well during that extra waiting period that their adoption journey had to endure. Tess especially was slipping deeper into what I now clearly define as institutionalized autism. We could see it in the many many photos and videos that we got of her while we waited. She was 12 months and 1 day old when we got her into our arms, and let's just say I was immediately aware of my own fear about what lay in front of us. I was unprepared and scared.

We made it home after a whirlwind of appointments and me almost too frightened to admit how scared I was. and those first years were so hard. I often thought it was too hard and that I would break from the weight of it all. It was years till I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and years more before I could feel the warmth of that light. But fast forward 10 years, fast forward to this sweet baby girl growing into a beautiful young lady that has come through it all... oh my word, what amazingness she is.

Through it all, I really really mean it when I saw I am a better me because of it.

Years later, I can see more clearly. I can see the specialness that Tess always was and always was meant to be. Back then I couldn't, but now I clearly can.
She is amazing.
She is strong.
She is unique.
She is beautiful.
She is brave.
And I wouldn't change a single thing about her or the very hard process that we went through to get to this point. The journey is not over. Many things are still hard and some things always will be. But, wow, it is amazing where we are right now... and this young lady? Ohhhh my. I can't really call her a baby or child or little girl or even girl anymore. After all she'll be 12 years old this summer, and young lady seems to be the most appropriate thing to call her now, although she'd surely cringe at the term.

So I thought a little update on my Tess might be in order.

Tess in all her amazingness...
Her favorite color black.
She can spin and maneuver a bow staff (or long stick. Whatever.) like nobody's business.
She's quick with a hug and the patron saint for lost causes.
She's still a tiny little bug. At 11 1/2 years old she weighs 55lbs and still hasn't hit the growth charts although I am just starting to see the first signs of her body changing.

She loves to read, and is often found squirreled away in a comfy chair or in her room with her nose in a book... which is kinda ironic since school and reading don't come easily to her. She has to try hard, but books are her little safe place, and I'm more than happy to encourage that with as many of fantasy and dragon books as I can get my hands on. Thank you very much public library.

Remember the years of eating/food therapy? Well food is still a struggle for her, especially most all fruits, but as a mama I've come to realize that it's not a hill I'm willing to die on. She still has "safe foods" that she turns to when nothing else looks appetizing, but these days she'll try most anything (although not necessarily with an open mind!) and mostly prefers vegetables, edamame, celery and Brussels sprouts being her favorites.

You'll usually find Tess hanging out with the boys, and Jude is still her favorite partner in crime, although she has some other close friendships too. Specifically, Lily, Ava and Nolan.

She loves to exercise and is ridiculously athletic. Tess has taken parkour classes off and on, golf lessons each summer and was on a soccer team for a couple years, but she hasn't found a "sport" that speaks to her yet. Honestly I think she might be a runner, but we haven't had the opportunity to try it out yet. Next year when she and Jude start middle school, I'm hoping for some opportunities for her to try running out. Yep you read that right... they are starting middle school next year!

Tess and The Man Child, who is now 20 years old, have really evolved an amazing relationship. I think they feel like they are kindred spirits and "get" each other. Life can be hard for each of them albeit in different ways, and I often find them together just talking. The Man Child often seeks her out just to give her some extra support in life. What amazingness adoption weaves.

She's not sure what she wants to do when she grows up, but she does say that she wants to be a writer often. She does like writing short stories! My daughter, Tess the writer. I like the sound of that!

I love you to the moon and back, my beautiful girl!
And thank you, Lord, for the gift of being this wonderful, amazing child's mama!

Tap tap... tap tap...

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:09:00 +0000

Is this thing even on anymore?
Is it working?
Is anyone out there?

Sooooooo, yeah, I took a break. A LONG break from blogging. Not from life mind you. Life is still clipping along at a breakneck speed, and blogging needed to go by the wayside for a wee bit. Life happens like that, ya know?! In that time I've done no less than 981 gabillion loads of laundry and lost and gained and lost and gained the same 40lbs.
Life.

But, I'm back!

And I'm wondering... is ANYONE is still out there?

On the off chance that anyone actually is still out there and interested in this self-absorbed, middle aged blather, I'd like to ask you a favor. I'm gonna update you on some goings on. No, there aren't anymore kiddos joining our family (shocker!) or anything monumental like that. But I think an update or 10 are in order.

And after the updates, could you please help me out?
If you were reading Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10...
or maybe Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 9 if you've been hanging around here a while...
or even Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 8 as this blog was originally christened way back in the bronze era, circa January 2007 all 1,541 posts ago...
What would you like updates on? Are there any blog posts or topics that you especially remember? Anything that you are now scratching your head wondering whatever became of that?!
Hoop skirts?
Boulder holders?
Therapy?
Those stealth looking $5 aviators?
It's all fair game. #OverSharer-er

Photo creds go the the fabulously talented Ann Sevig who is found HERE on IG.

Give me a holler!
Pretty please.
'Cause seriously I'm not sure what in the world I'll be writing about these days!

It's GIVEAWAY TIME again!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:20:00 +0000

This time for a FREE SEAT in my upcoming Composition 101 class that starts on Feb 18! It's the last time this class will be offered for probably a couple years. Only folks who have never taken this class from Ordinary Miracles Photography are eligible for this giveaway and ANY camera works even cell phones. (If you're a member of Ordinary Miracles Photo Club there's a special giveaway coming just for you!)

This online course class is great for any skill level photographer and is 5 weeks long. It discusses many compositional guidelines with tons of examples. There will be a private forum open 24/7 for you to ask questions, get clarifications, and get feedback on your own images. Like all my classes, this class is quite interactive, (or not if you prefer to just sit back and soak it all in) and I’m there the entire time to answer questions, clarify information and offer feedback on all your images and assignments. Via the forum, you’ll also be able to see and learn what the other students are doing and asking and interact with them too. Yes, there will be assignments, and they are all totally optional, ’cause that’s how I roll! And there is no need to check in to the class at any particular time. You are encouraged to come and go as you please. All the details of the class and a link to register can be found HERE.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

It's GIVEAWAY time again!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 21:07:00 +0000

This time for a FREE SEAT in my upcoming Lightroom 101 class that starts on January 7, 2019! It's the last time this class will be offered for a while since I'll be taking a little break from teaching after the next couple classes are complete. Only folks who have never taken this class from Ordinary Miracles Photography are eligible for this giveaway. (If you're a member of Ordinary Miracles Photo Club there's a special giveaway coming just for you!)

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4fecce4f99/

IThis all-online class is beginner through intermediate level and will demonstrate how I edit photos efficiently via the Lightroom editing program. I’ll keep it simple, use easy-to-understand language, and give step-by-step instructions in both written lessons and over 20 video demonstrations. I will not toss you a PDF and drop you, but rather I'll walk you through the whole thing! My classes are as interactive as you'd like, and we’re going to do this together! Via a private group just for our class, you can share your photos, {or not} ask questions, and get feedback anytime throughout the class. You will be able to see what other students are doing and asking in the class too. You choose when to check in online, view course material, and there’s no pressure because you work at your own pace. You can participate during nap time, in the middle of the night, only on the weekends, or whenever. Feel free to come to class in your jammies! I will be available the whole time for questions and to offer clarifications and information. NO SECRETS! If I know it, I am more than willing to share it!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 03:22:00 +0000

I took photography back in the dark ages in college, when film was the only choice, but I've learned so much more from this class and pushed myself more than I ever did then. I can't thank you enough for sparking my joy for photography again! ~Suzanne

I just came to the end of teaching my beginning photography class right now, and I'm loving this class so much. But I'm also looking forward to the next class, Beyond Manual, and so it's GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN for a FREE SEAT in this upcoming class that starts on October 15th!

If you're already shooting in Manual mode, but want to learn more about light and focus, this is a fabulous class for you. There is SO much great information on focus in this class, so if you'd like to nail your focus and get crisp sharp photographs, this is the class for you! But that's not all! If you like to learn about light and how to use it to your advantage, this is also the class for you! Beyond Manual is an intermediate class and does not instruct students how to shoot in Manual mode or cover the concepts relating to exposure. There are very few seats left in this class, and I do anticipate that it'll sell out quite soon. The details of the class are HERE, and if you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to contact me.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time.Fingers are crossed for you!

Why an egg fast?

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 19:57:00 +0000

So I've gotten a few questions about WHY I'm doing this crazy egg fast thing. I'll admit it's crazy! Welcome to my world!
But there are a couple reasons why I decided to do it.

Let me backtrack a just a bit.
A little over a year ago, I drastically changed my diet to a low carb one. I'm a long-term, yo-yo dieter, and I needed to lose weight, (again) and I needed to lose weight in a way that I could make it a life style and stick with it forever. I think there are a lot of paths to do that but low carb seems to be what works for me and specifically a Keto diet.

60 ish lb weight loss later, (Yay me!) I've stalled, and I still haven't hit my goal weight. Not that a goal weight is the end all be all, but it's my goal, and I'd like to reach it. 4 months of stalling later, and I decided I needed a re-boot. Enter the 5 day egg fast. The egg fast is my re-boot. I'll jump right back into my Keto plan with a couple of modifications after it's over and see if I can work off these last 20lbs. I think I'll be low carb forever. It works for me, and it's a style of eating I think I can live with long term. Or at least that's the plan!

And one more reason for the egg fast... to me this crazy thing is mind over matter just to see if I CAN do it. Do I have it in my to finish it? Do I have it in me to eat almost nothing but eggs for 5 days? So much about eating what I know I should eat, avoiding what I know I shouldn't, and doing what I NEED to do to keep my body healthy is about mental fitness, and for me this is one of the areas that needs the most work. The egg fast is mentally exercising this part of me.

So that's why I'm eating nothing but eggs for 5 days. Well there's also good fat and cheese but only 3 ingredients really. So far, I've completed 4 days, and it's not horrible. I'm gonna finish this thing!

PS-Deviled eggs made with a bit of bacon grease are ridiculously amazing!
PPS-Those are meringue cookies, not deviled eggs. It's a crazy and often confusing world I live in, I tell you!

#BlackMoldVacay2016 Revisit

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 23:37:00 +0000

Papa surprised us with a day at a local resort.

It's the same one we went to a couple of years ago, right before Ru came home.

Remember? Remember when Black mold infested our house and we have to leave? And it was no less than 3,000 degrees in the shade? So we decided to make lemon-aid out of lemons and insurance let us stay here for 3 weeks? And the kids rushed to finish their homework each day so they could float in the lazy river?

Yeah, I loved that.

So we did it again, but this time insurance didn't foot the bill so we just stayed 1 day.

Well... most of us only stayed the day. Livy volunteered to stay with the kiddos that night, and so 2 of us got to actually stay the night... by ourselves!

Wrinkly hands...

The sign of a day well played if you ask me!

Giveaway! The class that starts it all!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:44:00 +0000

Again?

Yes, I'm giving away a seat in class again, 'cause giving away stuff is fun! This is the class that I get the most questions about and the one I find the most people waiting for, the one that starts your photography journey! The one that shows you how to shoot in Manual mode (in easy to understand language, I'll walk you through every step!) This is the class that explains all those numbers and buttons on that fancy DSLR or Mirrorless camera that you have! Just in time for those holiday pictures you've always dreamt of too!

For a free seat in my upcoming photography class, Manual Mode! Details of the class are HERE. The only people eligible for this contest are those that have not previously taken the class Manual Mode, (or Manual 'n More) and I'll announce the winner in a week, just in time for class to start just after Labor Day on September 4th!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

The class is already about 1/2 full. If you register and win the raffle, I'll happily apply your registration fee to another class of your choice. The details and registration for the class are HERE, and if you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to contact me! I'll announce the winner on my Facebook page and Instagram pages in a week's time.

Fingers are crossed for you!

What we do in the summer...

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:40:00 +0000

Lots of nothing important, that is.

Horseshoes.

Just being together.

At the beginning of the summer, Papa built me a horseshoe pit for my birthday. We've put in many hours already practicing, but I can't say I'm any good at it yet. It does bring me right back to my childhood. I remember watching hours of horse games as a child which usually also involved a cowboy or 2, beer, and a little bit of being reprimanded by the adult for crossing in the middle of the pit during a game. Now I'm the one doing the reprimanding.

Most of these pics are were taken by Boo, who is almost 16 years old now. Well not the one below of Boo, I took that one. He took my beginner's photography class last summer and he's still borrowing my camera and shooting in manual mode, and rockin' his photography skills!

As much as pics of myself make me cringe, I won't delete them. In a few decades time, I'd like my kids to look back at these photos and know I was a part of their lives too! Thank you, Boo!

And thank you, Papa, for the horseshoe pit! I love it! And even more I love the time we spend together enjoying it!

GIVEAWAY - FREE SEAT in Lightroom 101 Class!

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 19:02:00 +0000

It's GIVEAWAY time again! This time it's for a FREE seat in my upcoming class, Lightroom 101, that starts on July 9th! Only folks who have never taken this class from Ordinary Miracles Photography are eligible.

This all-online class is beginner through intermediate level and will demonstrate how I edit photos efficiently via Lightroom. I’ll keep it simple, use easy-to-understand language, and give step-by-step instructions in both written lessons and over 20 video demonstrations. I will not toss a PDF and drop you, but rather I'll walk you through the whole thing! My classes are quite interactive, and we’re going to do this together! Via a private group just for our class, you can share your photos {or not,} ask questions, and get feedback anytime throughout the class. You will be able to see what other students are doing and asking in the class too. You choose when to check in online, view course material, and there’s no pressure because you work at your own pace. You can participate during nap time, in the middle of the night, only on the weekends, or whenever. Feel free to come to class in your jammies! I will be available the whole time for questions and to offer clarifications and information. No secrets. If I know it, I’m willing to share it!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

The details and registration for the class are HERE, and if you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to contact me! I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time.

Fingers are crossed for you!

puppy kisses

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 23:55:00 +0000

Someone was asking for kisses,

...and got an abundance of them shortly there after.

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:23:00 +0000

We had a little scare...

After this... years of this...

This photo was taken after Jude came home from a long busy day. His feet were/are hurting him, and he's rubbing them.

Jude's feet are being a bit "not right" right now.

We're not sure what that "not right" actually is, but currently not right is presenting itself in the form of pain, awkward positioning, decreased flexibility, and a limp that has lasted for almost 3 weeks now.

We think
we hope
we pray that it is just simply an injury that is on the mend already. We've been in contact with Jude's pediatric orthopedic surgeon (all the way over in Missouri, and the best one in the world in my opinion) and after listening to my concerns via email and watching videos, he says all looks good to him too. In other words, no sign of a relapse.
But still.
You know that little mama-gut feeling in the back of you head that says something just isn't right, like the time they swore that Ru's arm wasn't broke, and it was 'cause they x-rayed the wrong arm, the one that wasn't broken but the other one was broken all along... well I've got that uneasy, something-ain't-right feeling again.

My very non medical mama gut says an injury should have healed by now, an injury he would have gotten just by being a kid, riding his bike, playing golf, just being active mind you. Or I'm over reacting. Or I'm just worried 'cause I'm a mom and that's what I do.
All of which are quite possible options.

It's probably nothing.

My favorite foursome

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:52:00 +0000

This is how we spend many o' afternoons in the summer.

Know that I am not a golf gal. I'm a blue collar, barely-wears-shoes gal that often finds herself feeling completely out of place on a golf course.

Several years back I tried really hard to learn how to play golf. I got lessons and practiced. I gave it a good couple years too. And still after a couple years it still felt like the strangest, contort-you-body-in-the-oddest-ways sport. And I threw in the proverbial golf towel. I wish it didn't but it did. And I know it's a fault of mine, but I don't like to do things that I'm not particularly good at. I should change that. But maybe not starting with golf, okay?

But the kids play golf, and they learn how to carry their own clubs and how not to cheat even when they can. And over the years I've learned a lot of the rules to help them along. I can usually pick out the right club for them to use, and truth be told I can order a cocktail and drive that golf cart around the course like nobody's business! And I do love lots of the rules of golf and how they are often about how to get along and respect one another. So even though I'm far from a golf mom, I am and mom, and I like to take the kids to play golf in the late afternoon. It's pretty. It's outside. The crow are usually cawing. The light in gorgeous as it filters through the trees. It's good summer stuff for sure.

On some days my little foursome play 1 hole and on others we play 6 and only go in cause it's so dark we can't see the ball any more. Sometimes they take a friend along, sometimes their cousins join them, and sometimes it's just them. Sometimes it take over an hour to play one hole. Sometimes it take 15 strokes to get out of the sand trap. Sometimes someone makes the green of a short par-3 in one stroke! Sometimes the play ends up in tears and a great teaching opportunity about how it's all about trying our best and enjoying being together.

But every time I come away thinking how it's such a wonderful amazing way to just be together and enjoy each other's company even though we are all so very different. And how lucky we are to have the opportunity to do it! We really are!

Photo Gallery {Jupiter: Ghost Bar}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 13:50:00 +0000

A Photo Gallery image for the photo buffs to analyze and mull over.

24mm, 30 sec, f/22, ISO 100

The name of the bar is Jupiter. LOVED this bar. Had a great feel to it.

For the record, no ghosts haunt this bar, well none that I know of. But it kinda look like they haunt the bar stools in this one!

Seattle. Or rather Bainbridge

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:50:00 +0000

Someone suggested we take the ferry and get of Seattle for a bit. I was so glad we did!

This is Bainbridge. I do this a lot when I travel, maybe everyone does, but it's one of the (many) places where I said, Yep I could totally see myself living here.

So we took the ferry and walked into this little idyllic town. We meandered. It's the perfect little town for the word "meander." We found the farmer's market. We found crepes. We found a little wine bar, (pictured below) sampled some local wine and played cards.

It was pretty amazing and one of my favorite places and times in our little trip.

Photo Gallery {Pike Place Market}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 14:14:00 +0000

I think this is my favorite pic from our Seattle trip.

If you ever travel with me, know that I carry a big heavy camera with me everywhere and often randomly stop to capture memories. It makes getting anywhere take twice as long as necessary.

Photography shouldn't be a secret. Here are the stats...
63mm, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO 250

I love the juxtaposition of the 2 individuals in this pic. I love the composition of the suggested diagonal line that leads from the lower left to the frame's right, yet is split vertically top to bottom by 2 subjects. I love the tourist vs performer, one looks down, one looks out but really where is he looking? I love the way she's seemingly oblivious to an accordion-playing cat. "Cause really who in the world can be oblivious to an accordion-playing cat?!

I love anyone that can pull off wearing a Pittsburg bag in an iconic Seattle location

Seattle: Pike Place Market and Gum Alley

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 20:42:00 +0000

First more half-aversary.

'Cause you cannot go to Seattle without going to Pike Market Place, right?
Or #1 Startbucks?

Did you know that there's a place in Seattle where they just put chewing gum on the wall? I thought "Gum Alley" was gonna be named after someone famous or important, you know, like the very influential Mr Gum.

Nope.

It's really just chewed up gum in an alley. And people come and add to it and take photos... Go figure!

Seattle: Odds & Ends

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:42:00 +0000

Hello summer! and Seattle

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10) — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 16:02:00 +0000

I'm behind.
Will you forgive me?
So behind.

For the first time in forever, I think, I'm simultaneously teaching a class, taking a class and writing a class. I love doing all 3, so it's not a bad thing! But it sure is a time sucker. Especially when there is an abundance of horribly important summer time activities that need to be done, like walks that need to be walked, bingo cards that need to be marked, humming birds to feed, playing cards that need to be shuffled, dandelions that need to be blown, popsicles to make (and eaten!) and geraniums that need to be planted. Not to mention the very adorable yet time-consuming puppy doodle, and that's like having a new baby!
This is my summer in a nutshell.

And the poor blog is feeling pretty neglected.
That being said, I need to catch up on some events here in bloggy land, that need to be marked in time. So here it goes.

Seattle - Part I

It was lovely!

Seattle, do you know how awesome you are? With your modern approach and fresh ideas? Papa and I traveled to Seattle for a long weekend for our annual ~~anniversary~~ half-aversary celebration. And we went with our good friends that we've known since high school. 'Cause evidently when you've been married long enough you invite your friends on your half-aversary trip.

In the next couple days, I'm going to try my best and play catch up.
Starting with my Seattle pics.

Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10

Grocery Budget: $125 a week

#MondayTheMiraculous

Doodle Bath

Update: Mimi's bday!

Update: Ru, the birthday boy!

Update: Tess

Tap tap... tap tap...

It's GIVEAWAY TIME again!!!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

It's GIVEAWAY time again!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time.Fingers are crossed for you!

Why an egg fast?

#BlackMoldVacay2016 Revisit

Giveaway! The class that starts it all!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

What we do in the summer...

GIVEAWAY - FREE SEAT in Lightroom 101 Class!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

puppy kisses

My favorite foursome

Photo Gallery {Jupiter: Ghost Bar}

Seattle. Or rather Bainbridge

Photo Gallery {Pike Place Market}

Seattle: Pike Place Market and Gum Alley

Seattle: Odds & Ends

Hello summer! and Seattle

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time. Fingers are crossed for you!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook and Instagram pages in a week's time.Fingers are crossed for you!