Wednesday, February 25, 2009
New Web Site and Blog
I am sure by now most of you have gotten the note about my new web site and blog, please go to Midnight Magic Studios and you will see my new site. You can comment on the blogs and on the site in general. I look forward to hearing from all of you. Thanks
Friday, February 20, 2009
She never ceases to amaze me
My daughter never ceases to amaze me. Today was no exception, let me tell you about it:
Over the past month or so, we have been going back and forth about moving KT to a new school. Nothing wrong with the school she was in, but due to her multiple problems she was struggling in class and falling behind. The thing that we were struggling with was not the move itself, but the fact that this would set it in that KT would not have a normal school life. But, as I always say, who defines normal?
We finally made the decision and put the wheels in motion in late December. Then in mid January (don't you just love how fast government works) they told us that they had a school in mind for the move. We were not going to make the move until LA and I could see the school and meet the teacher. Two weeks ago we were able to meet her new teacher and tour the school. It was very nice and the teacher was wonderful. So, we had our meeting and set the date for KT to move West.
She was to start school this past Wednesday so that she could have a going away party with her classmates and we would get a chance to take her to the school and have her meet the new teacher. While we were showing her around, she kept telling me that she was "dizzy" and that her brain hurt and that it was all too much to take in. We took our time and got her comfortable with the school and the teacher, but she kept telling us that it was all so much to take in and that her brain need time to process it all (her words, not ours).
She went to bed Tuesday night and at about 2am, she woke up with a terrible nightmare, we were all up for a while and we also noticed she had a runny nose. We let her sleep late the next morning to allow her to get some sleep, but when she did get up, her nose was awful. So, off to the doctor we go and sure enough, it was a sinus infection. She would miss her first day at her new school.
So, yesterday ended up being her first day. I walked into the school and to her class. We meet up with the teacher and she introduced KT to her new classmates. I made sure KT was comfortable and let her be.
Now, before I tell you this part you have to understand that in the past when we asked KT about her school day the answer was always the same "I don't know". What did you have for lunch today? "I don't know". Who did you play with today? "I don't know". You get the idea.
When we picked her up from school yesterday, she could not stop talking about who she meet, what they did, she made a new friend and KT even kept her new friend from getting into trouble yesterday. LA and I were thrilled to say the least.
Last night was the second night in a row that KT slept ALL NIGHT LONG!!! That has not happened in almost 4 to 6 months. She got up so easily this morning, did what she was supposed to do and got ready. She got ready so early that we had time for her to eat her breakfast at the table instead of being rushed out the door and eating on the way to school like we used to.
But what blew me away this morning was when got to school, she grabbed her stuff, gave me a kiss and said "I love ya dad". She jumped out of the truck and started off for the door. I asked her "KT, do you know where to go?" To which I got this response, "yes, I know where to go." And off she went, right in the door saying hi to everyone on the way in and had a seat. I mean it was like she had been going to that school for years. In the past when I dropped her off, she would stand at the entrance to the school and watch me leave, waving and blowing me kisses. Not today, today she was excited to go to school, she couldn't wait to get in the door.
This little girl is the hardest working pre-tween I know. But, for the time in a long time, I watch her be the little girl I know she can be.
Over the past month or so, we have been going back and forth about moving KT to a new school. Nothing wrong with the school she was in, but due to her multiple problems she was struggling in class and falling behind. The thing that we were struggling with was not the move itself, but the fact that this would set it in that KT would not have a normal school life. But, as I always say, who defines normal?
We finally made the decision and put the wheels in motion in late December. Then in mid January (don't you just love how fast government works) they told us that they had a school in mind for the move. We were not going to make the move until LA and I could see the school and meet the teacher. Two weeks ago we were able to meet her new teacher and tour the school. It was very nice and the teacher was wonderful. So, we had our meeting and set the date for KT to move West.
She was to start school this past Wednesday so that she could have a going away party with her classmates and we would get a chance to take her to the school and have her meet the new teacher. While we were showing her around, she kept telling me that she was "dizzy" and that her brain hurt and that it was all too much to take in. We took our time and got her comfortable with the school and the teacher, but she kept telling us that it was all so much to take in and that her brain need time to process it all (her words, not ours).
She went to bed Tuesday night and at about 2am, she woke up with a terrible nightmare, we were all up for a while and we also noticed she had a runny nose. We let her sleep late the next morning to allow her to get some sleep, but when she did get up, her nose was awful. So, off to the doctor we go and sure enough, it was a sinus infection. She would miss her first day at her new school.
So, yesterday ended up being her first day. I walked into the school and to her class. We meet up with the teacher and she introduced KT to her new classmates. I made sure KT was comfortable and let her be.
Now, before I tell you this part you have to understand that in the past when we asked KT about her school day the answer was always the same "I don't know". What did you have for lunch today? "I don't know". Who did you play with today? "I don't know". You get the idea.
When we picked her up from school yesterday, she could not stop talking about who she meet, what they did, she made a new friend and KT even kept her new friend from getting into trouble yesterday. LA and I were thrilled to say the least.
Last night was the second night in a row that KT slept ALL NIGHT LONG!!! That has not happened in almost 4 to 6 months. She got up so easily this morning, did what she was supposed to do and got ready. She got ready so early that we had time for her to eat her breakfast at the table instead of being rushed out the door and eating on the way to school like we used to.
But what blew me away this morning was when got to school, she grabbed her stuff, gave me a kiss and said "I love ya dad". She jumped out of the truck and started off for the door. I asked her "KT, do you know where to go?" To which I got this response, "yes, I know where to go." And off she went, right in the door saying hi to everyone on the way in and had a seat. I mean it was like she had been going to that school for years. In the past when I dropped her off, she would stand at the entrance to the school and watch me leave, waving and blowing me kisses. Not today, today she was excited to go to school, she couldn't wait to get in the door.
This little girl is the hardest working pre-tween I know. But, for the time in a long time, I watch her be the little girl I know she can be.
Monday, February 2, 2009
IT SNOWED!!!!
I grew up in Central Indiana. Winters meant lots of snow and I loved it. Since we have moved to East Tennessee I think we have only had one really good snow to talk about and that was back in '96, so it has been long over due to say the least. We have learned that when the weather guys call for snow it never happens. When they don't call for it, that is when we get a good amount of snow.
Well, last Tuesday the weather guys here said that "early next week, we could have system come through the area that could leave a good amount of snow". I crossed my fingers, all I want is one really good snow. As we got closer to the weekend, the weather guys started backing off that forecast saying the system is going to move farther east than they originally thought. All we would get is rain. Oh Well.
I got up this morning to get ready to meet a bride about shooting her wedding and it was raining just like they said it would. I got to Panera Bread to meet the bride and had to run in to keep from getting wet. I looked out the window just before 9:30 and it was raining. The bride arrived and we started talking about her wedding, I got lost in the conservation talking to her about what I can do for her and the video for her wedding.
At 10:45 we got done and I walked to the door to leave and could not believe my eyes. SNOW!!! My truck was covered, the roads were covered and it was just coming down hard. I had about an inch or so on my truck. Schools were closing left and right but not Knox county. I knew it was going to happen, just when.
Well, Knox county schools closed at 12:30 and we went to get Katie. She wanted to play in the snow so bad, she just begged us to take her outside for just a little bit. I sent her upstair to put on her rain boot that Lisa got her for Christmas. She came bounding down the stair with the biggest smile on her face. She had a blast. She and I built a "snow-woman" if that is what you want to call it. My Golden, Brinkley, just loves the snow, he acts like a puppy again. It was a lot of fun and Katie really liked it.
Well, last Tuesday the weather guys here said that "early next week, we could have system come through the area that could leave a good amount of snow". I crossed my fingers, all I want is one really good snow. As we got closer to the weekend, the weather guys started backing off that forecast saying the system is going to move farther east than they originally thought. All we would get is rain. Oh Well.
I got up this morning to get ready to meet a bride about shooting her wedding and it was raining just like they said it would. I got to Panera Bread to meet the bride and had to run in to keep from getting wet. I looked out the window just before 9:30 and it was raining. The bride arrived and we started talking about her wedding, I got lost in the conservation talking to her about what I can do for her and the video for her wedding.
At 10:45 we got done and I walked to the door to leave and could not believe my eyes. SNOW!!! My truck was covered, the roads were covered and it was just coming down hard. I had about an inch or so on my truck. Schools were closing left and right but not Knox county. I knew it was going to happen, just when.
Well, Knox county schools closed at 12:30 and we went to get Katie. She wanted to play in the snow so bad, she just begged us to take her outside for just a little bit. I sent her upstair to put on her rain boot that Lisa got her for Christmas. She came bounding down the stair with the biggest smile on her face. She had a blast. She and I built a "snow-woman" if that is what you want to call it. My Golden, Brinkley, just loves the snow, he acts like a puppy again. It was a lot of fun and Katie really liked it.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Long Night at the Hospital
Yesterday was a very long day. I had a wedding yesterday so, my day started about 7:30 in the morning doing all my wedding day prep work, loading up the truck and just getting ready. Add to the fact that it was just plain cold outside, I knew it was going to be interesting day. Little did I know just how interesting it was going to be or how long.
The wedding went well, very pretty bride and the groom was a blast. The groom is a Baptist Minster so there was no music at the reception or any dancing. At most receptions I can grab a quick bite to eat but this reception not the case. I do not like sea food and that is what they had at the reception, so no food for me.
During the day I always stay in touch with Lee to see how things are going. I texted her about 4:30pm and was told that things were not good. The reception was over at 5:30 and when I called home I found out that Katie was very, VERY sick. She had gotten sick at STAR (horse therapy), 2 more times on the way home and once more when they got home. When I arrived our good friend Lisa had gotten some medicine to help stop the nausea and Katie was asleep. We kept an eye on her into the night. About 7:45 she got sick again and we tried to get her medicine down. If she is not able to keep her medicine down she can go into what is called Adrenal Shock. This happened to her on 9/11/01. I was out of town that day and could not get home to help Leeann that day. Katie was put in the hospital that night and monitored. She recovered well then and knew from that day on we had to keep a close eye on her when she got sick.
Well, after she got sick at 7:45 we tried to keep her medicine down again. We keep an eye on her and sure enough a little after 9 she got sick again and we knew we had to get her to the hospital. Leeann called for an ambulance because she had a funny feeling about everything. They got to the house very quickly and the paramedic took a quick look at Katie and picked her up and said we needed to go. I said let me get her jacket, he said "we don't have time for jackets, we need to go NOW!". He scooped her up and off we went to the ambulance. Katie was a little scared, but was not very responsive to what was going on.
We got in the ambulance and the paramedic told the drive "GO, GO, Code 3 to Children's". I am in the back with Katie and Leeann is following us in the car. They stared an IV for Katie, and kept her oxygen. When we pulled up to Children's Hospital they rushed her into the room and I lost count as to how many doctors and nurses were in the room. It was like a scene out of ER, instructions being yelled out, orders being given and everyone working as one team. All my our little girl.
They got her stabilized quickly and she stared to show signs of improving. They got her up to a room about 1am and that is where she was until a couple of hours ago. We are home now and Katie is doing much better.
I can't say enough how much we appreciate the fact that we have a hospital for kids so very close with team of professionals that know just how precious each child is, but also know how scared parents can be when something like this happens to our kids. The nurses in the ER and on the floor where Katie stayed not only took great care of Kate but, also took good care of me and Leeann. When ever I or Leeann needed anything, they were there for us. They were able to get me a bit to eat late last night. They were great to say the least.
Katie is doing well today and being just any other 9 year old.
The wedding went well, very pretty bride and the groom was a blast. The groom is a Baptist Minster so there was no music at the reception or any dancing. At most receptions I can grab a quick bite to eat but this reception not the case. I do not like sea food and that is what they had at the reception, so no food for me.
During the day I always stay in touch with Lee to see how things are going. I texted her about 4:30pm and was told that things were not good. The reception was over at 5:30 and when I called home I found out that Katie was very, VERY sick. She had gotten sick at STAR (horse therapy), 2 more times on the way home and once more when they got home. When I arrived our good friend Lisa had gotten some medicine to help stop the nausea and Katie was asleep. We kept an eye on her into the night. About 7:45 she got sick again and we tried to get her medicine down. If she is not able to keep her medicine down she can go into what is called Adrenal Shock. This happened to her on 9/11/01. I was out of town that day and could not get home to help Leeann that day. Katie was put in the hospital that night and monitored. She recovered well then and knew from that day on we had to keep a close eye on her when she got sick.
Well, after she got sick at 7:45 we tried to keep her medicine down again. We keep an eye on her and sure enough a little after 9 she got sick again and we knew we had to get her to the hospital. Leeann called for an ambulance because she had a funny feeling about everything. They got to the house very quickly and the paramedic took a quick look at Katie and picked her up and said we needed to go. I said let me get her jacket, he said "we don't have time for jackets, we need to go NOW!". He scooped her up and off we went to the ambulance. Katie was a little scared, but was not very responsive to what was going on.
We got in the ambulance and the paramedic told the drive "GO, GO, Code 3 to Children's". I am in the back with Katie and Leeann is following us in the car. They stared an IV for Katie, and kept her oxygen. When we pulled up to Children's Hospital they rushed her into the room and I lost count as to how many doctors and nurses were in the room. It was like a scene out of ER, instructions being yelled out, orders being given and everyone working as one team. All my our little girl.
They got her stabilized quickly and she stared to show signs of improving. They got her up to a room about 1am and that is where she was until a couple of hours ago. We are home now and Katie is doing much better.
I can't say enough how much we appreciate the fact that we have a hospital for kids so very close with team of professionals that know just how precious each child is, but also know how scared parents can be when something like this happens to our kids. The nurses in the ER and on the floor where Katie stayed not only took great care of Kate but, also took good care of me and Leeann. When ever I or Leeann needed anything, they were there for us. They were able to get me a bit to eat late last night. They were great to say the least.
Katie is doing well today and being just any other 9 year old.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
BIG Day Tomorrow
Everyone knows that I do wedding videos. I have been doing this for more years than I can count, but doing it professionally since 2001. I love the work I do and working the brides has been great. But, to be able to keep doing this fun job, I have to get more brides every year and one of the ways I can do that is with the Premier Bride Wedding Show. The show is tomorrow and I have been working for the past 3 months on rebranding myself and my business. I have redesigned the ad that goes into the Premier Bride magazine, come up with a new sign that will hang in the booth tomorrow and worked very hard on a new demo video that I will hand out. For the past month, I have been thinking about this show at some point every day. This is where I hope to get about 60% of my business from this year.
The thing that has me the most worried is the economy. Let's face it, we all know it is bad. The past week or two there have been story after story in the local news about companies laying off workers, Goody's is closing up, Jewelry Television is laying off more people (I used to work there), Alcoa is letting go of 450 people... The list just keeps going. But, people will still get married and weddings will still be big events. I guess the thing that worries me is will they still spend a bit of money that they may not have?
Leeann has been by my side every step of the way the past couple of months. She has looked at my new demo about 500 times making suggestions along the way, she had a huge say in how the new ad looks but most of all, she keeps me focused on moving forward. I would not have gotten to this point if it had not been for her, I am truly blessed to have her in my life.
17 years ago I was a newly wed not knowing what was in store for us. Not sure of where the road of life would take us, but I am so glad that I had her to go with me on this ride.
The thing that has me the most worried is the economy. Let's face it, we all know it is bad. The past week or two there have been story after story in the local news about companies laying off workers, Goody's is closing up, Jewelry Television is laying off more people (I used to work there), Alcoa is letting go of 450 people... The list just keeps going. But, people will still get married and weddings will still be big events. I guess the thing that worries me is will they still spend a bit of money that they may not have?
Leeann has been by my side every step of the way the past couple of months. She has looked at my new demo about 500 times making suggestions along the way, she had a huge say in how the new ad looks but most of all, she keeps me focused on moving forward. I would not have gotten to this point if it had not been for her, I am truly blessed to have her in my life.
17 years ago I was a newly wed not knowing what was in store for us. Not sure of where the road of life would take us, but I am so glad that I had her to go with me on this ride.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Good weekend ending on a bad note
Well, a new year and I plan to keep this more up to date than I have been (yea, we've heard that before haven't we). Anyway, just a bit of catching up over the past couple of months: Katie is doing well, we had a bit of bad spell there for a while, but she is doing better. We do, however, have to make some changes in her school, more about that later as it happens.
Christmas was nice, Leeann's dad was in town and we spent the day with her grandmother. She is not doing very well, seems like she is just living in the moment. She was here at the house all day Christmas and I think she said maybe 5 words. So sad.
We went out with some friends New Years Eve, also known as our 17th anniversary. You know, it is pretty cool to think that I have been married to the same beautiful woman now for 17 years. Every day she amazes me with the things she does. I love her so much.
I have been working at repairing my relationship with my mom. There was a long stretch there where we didn't have any communication. Things are much better now. In fact, we spent the weekend with her and helped my wonderful aunt install her new computer. She will do well with it, it is just going to take some time for her to get adjusted to it.
Anyway, we had a great time this weekend, Katie got to spend some good time with my mom (GramSue as she named her) and got to play with her cousins Blake and Hunter. We went to a place called "Fun Expedition", it's kinda like a Chuck E. Cheese only bigger and with more to do. We played LazerTag, did some bumper cars, and played lots of video games. Katie loved the whole weekend. I can't wait for them to come back down to our place in a couple of weeks. I know Katie is looking forward to showing Blake and Hunter her room.
Now, for the bad note. I have a wedding show next Sunday. This is the biggest show of the year, I got 75% of my business from the show last year. I have been working hard to do some re-branding, changing the web site, the look of the ad and even a new banner. But most of all, I have been working on a new demo video. If you don't know, the demo video is what i show to brides so that they can see my work and know what I can do for them. Anyway, I finally got it finished, it looks great and I really hope it brings in more business this year. Anyway, I went out to my office to burn the demo copy and every-time I try to burn the disk, the software crashes. I did it like 12 or 13 times with the same result. Well, I did some research and it looks like I am not the only one with this problem. Everyone else using the same program I am using has the same problem. The only way to fix it is to upgrade the whole suite to the new version. This means I have to update my editing program, graphics program, everything and that is going to be about $1200. I have been up till 1am trying to fix it. I have no choice, there is no way the the software company is going to release a fix in the next couple of days, but I have to get the update, install it and change all my settings. There goes my Sunday.
Anyway, I had a great weekend, but now, I have a lot of work to get things fixed. Wish me luck.
Christmas was nice, Leeann's dad was in town and we spent the day with her grandmother. She is not doing very well, seems like she is just living in the moment. She was here at the house all day Christmas and I think she said maybe 5 words. So sad.
We went out with some friends New Years Eve, also known as our 17th anniversary. You know, it is pretty cool to think that I have been married to the same beautiful woman now for 17 years. Every day she amazes me with the things she does. I love her so much.
I have been working at repairing my relationship with my mom. There was a long stretch there where we didn't have any communication. Things are much better now. In fact, we spent the weekend with her and helped my wonderful aunt install her new computer. She will do well with it, it is just going to take some time for her to get adjusted to it.
Anyway, we had a great time this weekend, Katie got to spend some good time with my mom (GramSue as she named her) and got to play with her cousins Blake and Hunter. We went to a place called "Fun Expedition", it's kinda like a Chuck E. Cheese only bigger and with more to do. We played LazerTag, did some bumper cars, and played lots of video games. Katie loved the whole weekend. I can't wait for them to come back down to our place in a couple of weeks. I know Katie is looking forward to showing Blake and Hunter her room.
Now, for the bad note. I have a wedding show next Sunday. This is the biggest show of the year, I got 75% of my business from the show last year. I have been working hard to do some re-branding, changing the web site, the look of the ad and even a new banner. But most of all, I have been working on a new demo video. If you don't know, the demo video is what i show to brides so that they can see my work and know what I can do for them. Anyway, I finally got it finished, it looks great and I really hope it brings in more business this year. Anyway, I went out to my office to burn the demo copy and every-time I try to burn the disk, the software crashes. I did it like 12 or 13 times with the same result. Well, I did some research and it looks like I am not the only one with this problem. Everyone else using the same program I am using has the same problem. The only way to fix it is to upgrade the whole suite to the new version. This means I have to update my editing program, graphics program, everything and that is going to be about $1200. I have been up till 1am trying to fix it. I have no choice, there is no way the the software company is going to release a fix in the next couple of days, but I have to get the update, install it and change all my settings. There goes my Sunday.
Anyway, I had a great weekend, but now, I have a lot of work to get things fixed. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Dodge Ball and Pneumonia
Let's get this out of the way right off, I have pneumonia. I never get sick, Katie and Leeann can both be in the bed, sick as anything and I will be just fine. I never get it. I am always the one who is taking care of them. Now, here I am with pneumonia and on top of that, I have to take some very YUCKY!!! medicine. But, how does that fit in with Dodge Ball you ask?
On the way home from the vampire doctor (I call her that because every-time I'm there it seems like she wants some of my blood, go figure) we went out to the farm to drop some feed off for Belle. Along the way we have to go by a elementary school and there were some kids out in front of the school in a big playground area playing kick ball. If you grew up in the late 70's/early 80's like me then you more than likely paid more that few games of kick ball. Now, for those of you out there who grew up in the "PC World" where everyone is a winner and we don't play any kind of competitive game, kick ball is just like baseball, but with a large rubber ball (normally red). You kick the ball instead of hitting it with a bat. However, unlike baseball, you can get tagged out if you are HIT with the ball between bases. Such as if you are running between 1st and 2nd base and you get HIT with the ball, you are out. Pretty simple, yes. Well, it got me to thinking back when I was a kid and really enjoyed playing kick ball and Dodge Ball. DODGE BALL! They don't let kids play Dodge Ball anymore, do they?
Why, just because the whole purpose of the game is to avoid being hit with a large rubber ball? Nope, it's because somebody might get HIT by a large rubber ball. It's because somebody would win and someone would, GASP OH THE HORROR, loose. Well if you ask me, I most of you won't, Dodge ball teaches you many of life's most important lessons. Like what you ask? Well, here are a few:
SOMETIMES LIFE HURTS.
YOU HAVE TO STAY ON YOUR TOES AT ALL TIMES.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO RISK A LOT TO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
JUST WHEN YOU THINK THINGS ARE GOING GOOD FOR YOU, WHAM, LIFE HITS YOU.
YOU CAN'T REST WHEN THOSE AROUND YOU ARE RUNNING.
ALWAYS LOOK ABOUT YOU, YOU NEVER KNOW WHATS COMING NEXT.
But, most of all:
SOMETIMES LIFE HURTS.
Rules to live by if you ask me.
On the way home from the vampire doctor (I call her that because every-time I'm there it seems like she wants some of my blood, go figure) we went out to the farm to drop some feed off for Belle. Along the way we have to go by a elementary school and there were some kids out in front of the school in a big playground area playing kick ball. If you grew up in the late 70's/early 80's like me then you more than likely paid more that few games of kick ball. Now, for those of you out there who grew up in the "PC World" where everyone is a winner and we don't play any kind of competitive game, kick ball is just like baseball, but with a large rubber ball (normally red). You kick the ball instead of hitting it with a bat. However, unlike baseball, you can get tagged out if you are HIT with the ball between bases. Such as if you are running between 1st and 2nd base and you get HIT with the ball, you are out. Pretty simple, yes. Well, it got me to thinking back when I was a kid and really enjoyed playing kick ball and Dodge Ball. DODGE BALL! They don't let kids play Dodge Ball anymore, do they?
Why, just because the whole purpose of the game is to avoid being hit with a large rubber ball? Nope, it's because somebody might get HIT by a large rubber ball. It's because somebody would win and someone would, GASP OH THE HORROR, loose. Well if you ask me, I most of you won't, Dodge ball teaches you many of life's most important lessons. Like what you ask? Well, here are a few:
SOMETIMES LIFE HURTS.
YOU HAVE TO STAY ON YOUR TOES AT ALL TIMES.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO RISK A LOT TO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
JUST WHEN YOU THINK THINGS ARE GOING GOOD FOR YOU, WHAM, LIFE HITS YOU.
YOU CAN'T REST WHEN THOSE AROUND YOU ARE RUNNING.
ALWAYS LOOK ABOUT YOU, YOU NEVER KNOW WHATS COMING NEXT.
But, most of all:
SOMETIMES LIFE HURTS.
Rules to live by if you ask me.
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