Tree-Hugging Spotlight!

Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family requested pictures from her readers when she started the blog. I happened to do just that!

My little man, or son, depending on perspective, has been flashed upon her blog. While I offered up pictures that are from a recent fishing trip we took, I have many more to share.



Jaden has spent many days on the Turner ranch, just outside of Evanston, Wyoming. His adventures with cattle are great. This picture was taken in the heart of winter as he was able to ride along and feed the cows first hand, or barrel.

Now, there's no trip out to the ranch without the chance to ride on a horse, right? Jaden has had his adventures upon his favorite, Buck, who is just over 20 years old and a barrel racing champion. One tender horse!



While in the same part of the state, Jaden and I can often be found at Bear River State Park. It's a fantastic area in the spring, summer and fall. Personally, I've never ventured out there in the heart of winter as a cup of warm cocoa sounds a bit more inviting.

This particular trip included a great deal of wind. Pardon the wind-blown hair styles.









And yes, occasionally Mom gets in the picture as well.



The Casper, Wyoming area is home to some small but beautiful waterfalls. I spent a great deal of time there while pregnant with Jaden and shared in that area after the weather warmed just after his first birthday.





The outdoor adventures for this family come often. Jaden loves spending time outside and helping to clean up trash too!

Thanks again to Jennifer for sharing photo's of Jaden! I hope you enjoy seeing a bit more of Jaden's adventures.

Don't forget to head over to see me on my new blog!

A Long Time in the Making

There was a time when blogging wasn't popular and didn't fall into the cool, hip or rad categories. I, myself, blogged during that time! I've managed to run approximately 9 different blogs in that time. Some were around for a very lengthy time and others lasted only a few short months. Some were abandoned due to their personal nature, while others ended up finding their way to a password and user protected blog. So what's the point you ask? I've finally opted to combine some of those blogs into one large blog. There are still a few other's I must scan through prior to incorporating certain posts, but they have been combined, nonetheless.

You can find my grand blog here. I do hope that you will stop by and take a peek. I'm sure there are a few things you'd be shocked to find!

busy

My last two days have been filled with TONS of activities! I have deep cleaned the kitchen, living room, my closet and Jaden's closet. I've reorganized all the cabinets and in the process eliminated two bags of garbage from this place. I still have a few rooms and closets to go; but it's starting to feel much better in here - and more organized!

I have pretty well finished up the painting in the bathroom and have begun to put it back together. I'm not sure what I'll do with the ability to use a toilet paper holder again!! I'll finish that up in the morning.

I've applied for a few different jobs - in and out of the home. Tomorrow leaves a few other things to care for in that department, but all in all, not too bad.

I've managed to prepare supper and have it on the table by 5 pm the last two nights as well. (We're up at 330 am, so 5pm is supper here!) My kitchen, surprisingly, is still clean! HORRAY!

Tomorrow I'm going to begin tackling the hallway. It's not going to be a fun one to paint, but it's become painfully obvious that I'm going to have to get the ball rolling on finishing up the painting in this place. If Momma doesn't do it; it ain't gettin' done!

So that's about it on my end. I've also done tons of job searching for my site and managed to have job leads posted by 9am! huge feat in itself there!

I hope everyone else is having a fantastically productive week as well! Humpday is officially over in my world and it's time to sleep... if the three year old will tire, that is!

Falling

It's an amazing time of year when the refreshing cool arctic air begins to push downward, bringing a season of extraordinary color changes, quickly consumed with fluffy white flakes.

fall is one of my two favorite seasons out of the year. I cherish seeing the vivid colors and the reminder of the cycle of life. Festive holidays are abound!

This year, I'm falling into fall with my whole heart! Here are a few things I look forward to:

1. Breaking out sweaters and wearing them with jeans and boots. The most comfortable clothing I can dream of wearing!
2. Building fires in the fireplace and snuggling in with a good book or a great movie!
3. Family! This season brings out a strong commitment to family and spending that quality time with them is amazing!
4. Holiday preparation! For those who know me, I've not been so fond of the holidays since Reiley died, but this year, I absolutely cannot wait for them to arrive! I plan on dressing in Halloween best with my son, trick-or-treating; baking until my hearts content for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with shopping galore and excited looks gleaming across the faces of everyone as they see just what surprise has been left for them under the tree.
5. Snowmen! Although our falls are short-lived, I can't wait to get out and build a fantastic snowman with my son!

It's going to be an absolutely amazing end of the year! I look forward to every single activity and event we can manage to find!

What are your plans for fall/winter? Are there any little things that you are excitingly anticipating?

Web Design

So I've been toying around with a new web design for pewam.com. I'm learing a fun program in the process. It's actually quite neat to see just what a program is capable of doing!! It will be interesting to see what design I come up with and implement! I'll announce those changes here!

Feeling the Sadness

It's painfully obvious that I will have to return to the working force outside of my home at this point.  With all that has transpired in recent days involving the lack of pay from the magazine, I have to seek out childcare and find a position elsewhere.  I'm devastated. 

I think I realized tonight just how important it is for me to be an active part of my son's life.  He's loved having me home, even when I've been crabby and irritable with my stress levels as high as they were.  I've enjoyed that time too, even though I've had moments where I've wanted to rip my hair out and beg for a moment of peace. 

Can I tell you just how much I enjoy when he pops into the bathroom while I'm taking a shower and sits there to talk to me?  Goodness, it's so awesome.  Jaden is growing up so quickly, and I cherish each and every moment that I have with him.  I don't want to lose those moments, and I will when I step out of the house and go work in a different building, leaving my son to be cared for by someone else.

Tomorrow begins the quest to find a position elsewhere.  :(

Powered by Qumana

A Tidbit of Information

I took a position at the end of August with Animal Fair.  The position called for a Web Editor with HTML experience.  I responded to the ad with a short query letter as I was actually curious if they would allow for a telecommuting position.  The following morning, I received an email from the owner of the company, which resulted in numerous communications back and forth, ending with a job offer.

I began working that same day.  I was overwhelmed at first with the mass amounts of information that was delivered; but worked through it and began making the updates and changes necessary. 

The days passed by and Ms. D was becoming more frustrated as there was an article coming out in Forbes where she discussed the launch of her new site.  That site was not completed and she wanted it done months ago.  Her demands for working countless hours adjusting this item or that, making specific updates and the like.  It was becoming an issue with my family as I was up early in the morning and working well into the night.  After she opted to terminate the programmer (which I am not), she wanted to know if I could do certain things.  I can do things related to HTML, however, PHP is a different story - and what her new site is coded in.

With a new programmer in toe, options were offered as to the direction of her site.  She opted to go with one option; and changed it mid-stream.  Her inability to wait and follow through with the course of action she decided upon was the downfall to our business relationship. 

As the week has progressed, I've received quite a few emails from her in regards to the site.  I'm now facing having to fight for my wages, which has left me highly unhappy with the entire situation. 

As a warning to those out there, don't apply for any position calling for a web editor without first contacting me with the ad.  If the ad states in any fashion, "New website launch need someone to check all our pages, make sure we launch with great editorial! Pop culture, celebrities, animals, travel, chefs! Fun content! Please send us your resume, why you are the right person and be able to start asap!"  This is for the same company and is not recommended in any manner!!

Ahhhhhh

So it's been a crazy few weeks, to say the least. I've taken on a job that is fantastic in and of itself, but there is someone that is making the work near unbearable. Tomorrow will mark the "final" discussion about the position and what will transpire. I will, of course, offer more information about all of that after an agreement is reached - or not.

I also spoke with a company I do some regular work for - but haven't had a set contract for payment. I will be working on drawing that one up tomorrow - as well as one for the aforementioned position if my conditions are met.

On to the personal stuff - We took a fantastic trip this weekend past out to Curt Gowdy State Park. I took over 100 photo's from our fishing expedition and birthday celebration. The trip came just in time before fall weather set in. Hopefully we will be able to take one more day trip out that way in the coming weeks. I'd love to spend the day hiking in the area. Truly breath taking! (Okay, I keep talking. I promise I'll share some pictures!!)

Speaking of pictures, I do have some before/after pictures I need to get posted for the Extreme Home Makeover Edition that took place in the area. I also need to hound a friend of mine about getting my explosion footage to me! I won't be posting any information or interviews with the family - as they are under a strict no-talk agreement until the show airs. Once I have a confirmation of that date, I will be able to post an interview and possible pictures of the inside. Legal stuff - totally understandable.

I guess that's about it for now. I will get back to posting more now. Oh - and just so you know... my second blog is gone - sort of! I started my own dot com this week with information there and more information that I've collected. You can view the entire site at http://www.pewam.com

Farewell for now!