When Cat got your tongue....

So basically, my creative skills are in need of some assistance. My Dad and I have thought of starting some type of business that would be easy to manage with still being able to spend time with the family. Also, it would have to be something interesting that we both would enjoy. We came up with the idea of a candle company since there are none around us; I loved the idea, but said that they would need to be of good quality and smell REALLY good if we were to sell them.

I have been trying to get some information on supply companies, "how-to's" and popular scents. What I need you, as readers' help with is a name. In my head, I envision this company being a country/primitive store-- there aren't a lot around our area and plus, we see this style a lot throughout the country regions.

A Country Candle Company Name-- I have scribbling names and crossing out and adding to little things. I have been on google for hours, but no luck. For some reason it is not coming to mind. Once I have a name, then I would be able to create a design and add to this upcoming business....As far as products, I am thinking scents like:

Pumpkin Spic-- Love the jar!! Maybe even a black cap-- But we definitely need a cooler label

Backed Apple Pie~ Yum!!

See-- Look at this candle; even though it isn't in a jar, it looks so country with its lace, and label. I like the label, but I'm no too sure I would call it a "Country Affair"...that could be taken the wrong way

Lemme know what you think-- Any ideas are welcome, and while your at it, why not send in some of favorite scents! That would be a good idea too! Have a wonderful Columbus Day weekend, and hopefully see you soon!

Yours,

Josh

Pure Indulgence...without the costs of pounds

Can I just start off by saying how some things in life just get me going-- in a good way. 

As a High School, we venture off to a camp called, Li-Lo-Li. It's purpose is to purely have the high school grow as a group socially and spiritually. Even though its only an overnight, the past few years have made the weekend feel as if I have sent to a concentration camp-- yes, that is a slight exaggeration. Anyway, this year, however, was different; something just "clicked" with the classes and it was just SO much fun!! We bonded as a class-- I started talking to a few people who I haven't even acknowledge (and them, me) in years!! So it was quite excited. The one thing that is relevant to this particular article is the fact of the specific hike that a few of us students and teachers ventured. The Journalism team was in charge of taking pictures of the various events so that they could be submitted for the yearbook. The Journalism teacher and Photo Editor went on the hike and let me snap a few photos for the yearbook. 

Not all pictures are posted, because some are either confidential to the yearbook or not yet posted.

This is Rachael. A friend of mine and the picture is rather self-explanatory....This picture shows what we call positive and negative space. Usually, a normal person would look at this and throw this picture away when the file was developed. However, from an artistic P.O.V. (point of view) this is an excellent example of  + and -- space. It is obvious that the "main action" is on the right hand side, (positive space) and the rest is all empty (negative space). This is a perfect "in action" shot because of this "imbalance" and is a decent picture from this artistic mindset. 

This is probably one of my favorites-- it combines, humor, color, and overall fun!! Although this is a candid picture, I love it for its simplicity and overall wholeness. We got lost on our hike (go figure) so we stopped and snapped a few photos.

This is another one of those examples of positive and negative space type of things. Breanne--- laughing her head off  (As usual) =] She later started snorting....and if you know anything about Breanne...well, she has quite the snort!! =D

Here are just some other random shots....

I really wish I had the extra funds for a really nice camera...One almost a step (or a few steps) up from the average digital camera. Oh well, in time I guess....My pure indulgence hobbie would definitely be photography. If I had a good camera, I would love to do photography on the side. We will see I guess; maybe someday!! Well, gotta run, Juniors are very, VERY busy people!!

Yours,
Josh

What you get when you put your Mom's side of the family, Yogi Bear and a few coolers all in 2 cabins

This is WAY over due, but finally I am taking a moment to share, (if not the most treasured) memory of summer 2010.

It all started when there was an idea that my Mom's side of the family all went to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground in late August. Unsure about the choice I had (at first) contemplated about staying home or spending the night with a friend. However, this all quickly changed based on two decisions: 1. Mom said that I had no other choice but to go 2. My gracious Aunt Lynn had offered to help edit and revise my book.

Awaiting the excitement, I quickly finished chapter 3 of my book and packed all the necessary items in need of revising. Driving to the campground there had been previous confusion on sleeping arrangements, which ruffled a few of the family's feathers. Again I say, awaiting the excitement, we arrived to the neat little cabins reserved under the family's name. Already there was bickering and more "excitement."

Before I go on, there are some basic things that you should know on how my family works. My Mom's Mom is called Mema (Sandy) and her step dad, Papa (Dave). Then there's my Mom and her sister Lori (husband Jam and son Kam), Susan (hubby John), Lynn (Husband Doug, Amanda, and Ava) then Mema's sister Aunt Barb and husband, Mike. The family mainly finds their fun by bickering and then moving on seconds later. We thrive on each other and according to Uncle Jam-- nagging Papa.

Anyway, as we pull in there was already the loving sounds of Papa sarcastically yelling at everyone in ending every sentence like he is know for by saying, "HELLO!" After the common situation of greeting everyone and getting situated we soon explored what the camp had to offer. There was a beautiful water park, pool, arcade, and pond with a beach and dock. Our cabins were set off the shore of the pond and it really was beautiful.

There were two situations that really stuck out that weekend. The first is when My Aunt Lori, Jam, and Kam went on a hayride with my family (Mom, Jenna, Jessica, Justin) Aunt Barb, along with Amanda and Ava. We pulled out to circle the camp and soon found a "DJ" who was representing the camp's Retro Weekend, therefore they were playing all the oldies. What we didn't know is that Uncle Jam had gone and requested that they play "Thriller" for my Mom and mention that it was for Jen Ward (since that is her all-time favorite song). As we pulled back around to get off, the DJ said, "This next song is for Jen Ward....it's Thriller!!" Mom's face lit up as we all started laughing and mimicking the all-famous dance.

The other situation is of Mema and Papa and their bickering. I slept in the loft overlooking their sleeping arrangement, and had over heard a conversation as they were getting ready for bed. You may not understand the tone or the mood of the situation, however, if you know anything about my grandparents, we get our humor form their bickery. They don't know this, but I wrote down the short conversation:

M: We're movin' the bed out
P (sarcastically): Why?
M: How you going to the bathroom-- you're not climbing over me!
P: Ugg...Where are my pajamas?
M: David, You're changing in front of the window, Hello?!
P: Yea...So?
M:(minor mumbling)
P: Hardly doubt anyone lookin'
M: Alright, I'm going to get changed
P: We still gotta move the bed out

How I do love my family. I am truly blessed. I guess Papa didn't like the bed because every couple of minutes he groaned and shuffled around...I think Amanda said that's because he's an "old, angry man" but we would never say such a thing. You may not understand any of this article, but my family will for sure!! In short, let's say that this weekend gave me plenty of inspiration! We'll gotta turn the light out-- Papa's going to bed!

Yours,
Josh

Another peak at my promise

I am sorry that I haven't been blogging very much, but I have been very busy with various event. One of the things however that I have been doing is continuing my writing. I have been writing my book, as you would know if you read my blog, so I decided to share another part with you all.

She pulled out and I just looked away and was so sad in knowing that my life was changing and I didn't like it at all. It was getting close to 5p.m. and I was getting lonely already. I walked into the old, beat up house and practically tripped over the uneven floor boards.
“Ouch!” I whispered.

“Sorry, sweetheart, are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine…” But I was far from being ‘fine.’

“It’s been awhile since I’ve had time to fix the house- there’s a lot to do on the farm.”

“A farm,” I laughed half-hearted, “I would have never expected that.”

“Well believe it; 150 acres of pure wheat.”

     We stood there for a few minutes saying nothing. I had started thinking about Mom again, and how angry I was for now allowing myself to be in a farmhouse. As usual, Dad started asking all these nagging questions about school life and kids I had hung out with, and such. I mean, he is my Dad, but I just got so annoyed with the 20 questions game he was trying to play.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“No, I’m not hungry—“

“Are you sure? You did just have a very long tri—“

“I’m fine, ok!” I paused and took a breath, “I’m sorry. I’m just really tired.”

    There Dad became very silent, but he went over, pick up my bags and headed up the stairs. As I soon followed, I noticed all the pictures lining the stairwell. there were plenty of family and odd pictures of his friends from his various adventure trips, but there was one that caught my eye- it was a little, dirty blonde girl kneeling by a yellow lab.

“That was Rosy.” Dad said, “She was everything to you.”

“I barely even remember her. It’s been so long.”

“We had gotten her for you as a gift, but after the divorce, I had taken her with me- Mom didn’t want her. It was then that she ran away…she was probably looking for you.”

“You never found her?” I stated, not really sure on what else to say."
“I never did find her, poor thing, who knows; I never wanted to tell you because, well, I didn’t want to upset you.”

     He stared at me for a minute- I tried not to notice, but I couldn’t help it. It was as if he was looking into my eyes, but past them as well. Looking past the present and all he saw was his little girl whom he never wants to let go. It felt like an hour, but I soon started up the stairs again, trying to break up the awkward moment.

        My room was the last room at the very end of the hall. I was a little girls dream, well, country style, that is. There was little furniture about the room, but plenty of boxes containing Dad’s belongings. Beneath all of the junk, there was only a small writing desk, a dresser, the closet and a few other odd pieces. Very simple and plain, but it felt alright. The bed was neatly made, surprisingly, and it was a nice, canopy bed with white linens, and a very princess-like comforter. The room was pink, so at least there was one girly, interesting color other than white. Dad had set my things down and then seemed as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.

Feel free to comment, or leave suggestions!

Your Friend,
Josh

Left as a boy, and came back as an Airman...

It was almost a year ago, since my brother, Joe, signed up for the Air Force—and nine months since I watched him leave the house, for what seemed to be the last time. I have done a lot of growing up in those last nine months, but it hasn’t changed the fact that the boy in Joe has now taken a seat, and the man inside of him has finally stood up. Joe is no longer "Mom's little boy" but "Mom's grown man," which is scary for all of us.


"Airman Joe" sounds strange to me or maybe it just makes him sound so grown up. It's true that my loving brother is a lot different since I last saw him. Back in February, our family went down to San Antonio, Texas to see him graduate from basic training. He had already lost a lot of weight at that point. It also seemed as though the playfulness of Joe was gone, but after I learned what basic training was all about, I soon realized that his display of seriousness was demanded, not suggested; and that at any given moment during that time, if a rule was disobeyed, he could have needed to start all over again.

However, those times have passed and to see him now is just astonishing. He is physically bigger and stronger. Mentally, his mind has been stretched, and he is now more aware of what is going on around him. He is smarter than ever, having finished his Associates’s degree in Electrical Engineering. But it is spiritually where he seems to have grown the most, fearing the Lord and keeping steady in his faith. Joe has always been strong in his Christian faith, but he is so passionate about serving his country, now more than ever. Joe is definitely a role model in my life; one who displays courage, strength, loyalty, and diligence. He displays the character of a leader and a true solider; something that everyone should strive for.

I must admit that although it is good to have Joe home, it doesn’t feel the same. It isn’t that I don't want him there, but it's almost as if he doesn't belong here anymore. He has been away from his family for nine months, and I feel that this is a new chapter in my family's life; one where the birds have started to leave the nest; one where the family has put their relationships to the test. We were all so apprehensive about what those nine months would be like. I was for certain. But sometimes circumstances happen to help make us stronger people. Joe has matured. I think we all have as a family, and Joe being home has proven that.

In the next couple of weeks, Joe will be stationed across the country- far, far away from home, but that is okay with me now. I now understand that Joe is no longer our "Joey" but he is a grown adult—turning 21—and ready to start his own life. We still love each other—that hasn't changed—what has changed is just how far our love goes. And for right now, it's spanning across 2201.32 miles. I am finding myself at peace with that, finally, because I realize now that we don’t need to be living under the same roof to feel the closeness we share. We will always be brothers. No matter where he is or what he is doing, that bond continues to exist.

And I am so very thankful for that.

SLU 101 Orlando: Swallow the Big Frogs First Part 3

Hello Again, for the final SLU episode in this tiny, mini series. As I have said before, there is so much that was learned during the past week, that it would take a very long time to explain the detail and depth of what I had accomplished (and maybe that's why I have a whole notebook filled with notes).  Dr. Jay Strack, the founder of SLU was the teacher for this session and  started off with this statement, which, in turn, made a lot of practical sense:

"I am going to do the most difficult and most distasteful task first....that way, I will get is out of the way and can do what I like to do at a leisurely pace."       ~Dr. Jay Strack

Dr. Jay went on to say how so many people will blow off their time doing other things that they want to do, but will neglect the most important things to do. Did you know, that there are more text messages sent and received than there are people in the world? That is a lot of people; and a lot of texting. And we will spend 36-38 hours online, texting, talking on the phone, etc....and then we will "stupidly" ask sometimes, where has all the time gone...Well, there's our answer.

We need to start by having time management and make sure that we swallow the big frog first =] He shared that American students are the most lazy kids in the entire world. Although this could be debatable, he has a very specific point. He said that some kids' chores is to find food or water for themselves, and we will sit and throw a fit because we have to take out the garbage. Chores aren't doing anyone a favor, they are merely the responsibility of being a member of the family! You something else? I fall to this all the time. I will sit and grumble about how I don't want to do something, yet I fail to understand how privileged I am. Now, understand, that this whole session wasn't to get us on a guilt trip, however, part of it was (which is understandable). His clear message was to Be Organized and get things done! Don't sit and talk about it; don't wait till the last minute. Just set little goals and get things accomplished.  Just as Ben Franklin had said, "Don't squander time, for it is the stuff life is made of."

And finally, time is a precious object; It is a treasure, treasured art. Your life has an author-- YOU! We are all authors, writing the story of our life, one day at a time. When our lives come to an end, what will we leave to make people remember us? When we are sitting on our deathbed, will we sit there and turn to that "I wish I would've done this" list? Are we being smart with our time? We are given; each day the "Bank of Time" will accredit us with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost whatever of this you have failed in invest to good purpose. There are no transfers; once the day is up, it's gone. You can always make more money, but time is a precious gift, given each day to us by the grace of God. Everyday there opens a new account and this is why time is so precious. There is no going back, bu we invest and treasure the most of what we have presently. Well, the clock is running, make the most of your day!! Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift....that's why it is called, "the present"-- don't take it lightly.

During this session, we were given frogs to help remind us about this lesson...I still have my frog on my shelf!!

Have a very useful and wonderful day!

Your Friend,
                 Josh

SLU 101 Orlando: How to Make a Splash Part 2

Did you know that in your lifetime, you may only have about 12 main friendships that you stay in contact with? And within those 12 friendships, an average about 5 are the ones that you hold dear to your heart and will hold the most trust in.

As you know from the past posts, that I have be giving you a little glimpse of what I was taught during my SLU 101 experience. During the week, the group of young people had woken up around 5:30 to embark and get ready for a journey at Sea World. It was here that we had learned the true meaning of different types of leaders; and these leadership qualities are exemplified in 3 unique animals: Killer Whale, Shark (different types), and a Dolphin.

As the first session began, we were told this statement,

  

"The most neglected leadership skill is the ability to build trust and (hold on to) lasting relationships."

We were told of the importance in having a strong trust with the people we serve in any way we can. For if we are not willing to trust others, then people will not want to put trust in us. This correlated with the trust of a Sea World Trainer and the Killer Whale. A Whale will not do what it is told, if it does not trust it's trainer. Furthermore, as it is earning trust with a whale, earning trust with people takes time, it simply doesn't happen. Also, we can have time invested in earning some one's trust, but it can only take a moment to destroy- So don't take trust lightly.

We moved on from the whale show (which was awesome) and went into a restaurant room that held the shark tank. Here we had look into many different sharks and how their different personalities can all be seen in different types of leaders. Such as how a Bull Shark is really rough and aggressive, so can a leader be "bull -headed", and stuck up- making sure their opinions get across! However, one thing was said that all sharks have in common: For a shark to win, someone is left bleeding... Just think about that one =]

Finally, we came to the dolphin show take where a bunch of bottlenose dolphins put on a show and were really impressive! The main we talked about is that we should strive to be like a dolphin and here is why:

• Build strong family ties- they travel in pods (groups)
• Recognize the benefits of the sense of touch- their fins may look the same, but a a dolphin is giving, a shark is not
• Protection form other sharks- They will reach out and guard each other
• Care for the Weak and the Wounded- As dolphins will, so should we

To wrap things up, there a few things that I learned;  I need  to seek to understand before I try and be understood; to be humble, but, being humble isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.

I hope you found this just as interesting as I did, and please feel free to comment on anything here. Have an AWESOME day!!

Your Friend,

               Josh