Brandy Ink

The Grady Bunch

A few months ago, a friend of ours called us the The Grady Bunch. I thought it was super cute and had a nice ring to it. But then, I got thinking about the actual Brady bunch and of course "googled" it because that's how I roll.... and when I started reading the history of the story, I was surprised to find out that the father was a young widow... and then he met his lady friend and she came in and took all the kids on as her own. I so had no idea!

After I read that I was like, OMG. How perfect is it that we are called The Grady Bunch? Cause that's really how it happend for us too (except there's way LESS of us). So...

Of course this got me inspired cause that's also how I roll and I thought... we should write our own little storybook (just for ourselves - for fun) and call it The Grady Bunch. So, for Family Night a few weeks ago, we got out our pencil crayons and started by designing our book cover (pictured above). The four of us each got two squares to color. I bet you can't even tell who did what. I know, I know, my kids are rock star coloring artists. Anyway, this is the cover to our book.

Now, for another Family Night, we'll have to write the story. Fun.

Family Night - Doodle-Art Continued

Grady's parents joined us for the weekend from Vernon. We had a lovely visit. They're good people. I couldn't ask for better up and coming in-laws. You're awesome Stan and Carol!

While they were here, we broke out the good-old Doodle Art. I wrote about it months ago (click here to view that post). It's been a work in progress for years... Stan and Carol passed it on to Grady to finish... and now that we're almost done, the kids wanted Stan and Carol's assistance in completing it...

They worked on it for a little while but Stan and Carol started having awful flash backs from the 70's of when they tried to finish it the first time. Their arms quickly tired, their patience wore thing... and it just happened to be the kids bedtime, so they slyly used that as a great excuse to wrap things up and they got off the hook of finishing it, yet again :)

P.S. I know that someone is going to ask me why Keiryn is wearing goggles in the photo. And no, I have no idea why!

OMG!

Image Credit: FWC

Remember when I wrote about my fear of sturgeons? Ya, well, check this out!

Click Here and then scroll down the page and watch the video clip. Yikes!

I'll probably never EVER go swimming again. Thanks Tanya, for sending me this link... I will probably never even step foot on another beach after watching that. If they can jump that high, they could totally get me on the beach while I'm sun tanning. So not good!

Family Night - Miniature Zen Gardens

I've always wanted a mini Zen Garden but I just never seem to acquire one for some reason. I've always thought they were cute.

I was brainstorming with Grady the other night for ideas on what kind of product I could make with the kids at the Beyond Wild Youth Program I run, and Grady suggested we make Zen Gardens. OMG. What a brilliant idea! We can make them with the kids, and then they can sell them at the local Farmer's Market to raise money for the program. The kids make them, sell them, and reap the rewards. So awesome. Love it. It's an awesome idea on so many levels.

I researched on-line to try and find some supplies for mini Zen Gardens but everything was really expensive. I have to be able to make them cheap so that a decent profit can be made. So, I visited my trusty old friend, THE DOLLAR STORE, after work today and figured out what I needed. I picked up some sand, rocks, beads, sticks, crazy glue, and photo frames.

We tried this project out tonight for Family Night, knowing that if it worked, we'd do it for a summer project with Beyond Wild. Here's what we did.

Before we started, I printed off a secret saying, and put it in the frame. 

 

Then, we glued four beads on the bottom of the frame that will act as cute little legs once it's turned over.

Then, we poured in the sand. We used colored sand but then realized later on, once we raked it, that this sand is too course and the rake doesn't leave cool lines in it. We'll have to find some finer sand.

Check out the cute little leg...

Then, we carefully glued the rake together. This is harder then it looks and if you find an easier way, let me know! We used the glue gun and then reinforced it with crazy glue later on.

Then we embellished with some rocks...

And here's the  finished product:
 

Voila! Aren't they cute? I think this process was successful for the most part and I'm definitely going to make these with the youth group for a fundraiser. I think they'll sell like hot cakes!

Father's Day Breakfast

My kids got up early yesterday morning to cook Grady a yummy Father's Day Breakfast. Remember how I said that the kids planted a herb garden a few weeks ago? Ummm.... ya, so, they cooked him eggs for breakfast and in them they put: cilantro, dill, parsley, basil, chives and mint. Ha. He was a good sport and ate them all up. His breath has never smelled so fresh ;)  I have to give them 100% for effort though, and seriously, their presentation was to die for.

And hey, let us know if you're looking for a dish to cook using every herb known to man... we'll send you the recipe!

Reasons I wish I were a Fish...

1. I wouldn't have to do any housework
2. I wouldn't have to work
3. Someone would feed me
4. I could poop all over the place and not even care
5. Someone would clean my tank for me (but not until it turned a bizarre shade of yellow)
6. I'd have no stress and even if I were stressed, I'd forget every few seconds
7. I wouldn't have to complain about the weather
8. I wouldn't have to nag my kids
9. I wouldn't have to lay awake at night with heartburn
10. I'd never have a bad hair day

Doesn't that sound easy? If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I wanna come back as a fish, please.

ac·com·plish·ment/əˈkämpliSHmənt/Noun

1. Something that has been achieved successfully.

2. The successful achievement of a task.

On January 4th of this year, I posted a list of goals for 2011. Some people thought I was crazy and suggested that perhaps it was a bit much for one year, but, I just LOOOOOOVE getting stuff done and well, here is an update...

GOAL #1

ART - Figure out how I can integrate art into my career, whether that be integrating it into my existing business or finding a new venture that incorporates art into my life. 2010 made me realize that I need art as part of my day, to truly live my best happy life.

ACCOMPLISHMENT - I started teaching art classes for kids which has integrated ART somewhat into my days. I've realized that I love working with children and I look forward to art classes each week. I've also got something else up my sleeve which is very exciting but I'm not quite ready to share yet. Don't worry, my blog readers will be the first to know ;)

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GOAL #2

GIVE BACK - 2010 also made me realize, by hashing up some old traumas on my blog, that perhaps one of my missions in life needs to be to GIVE BACK. I haven't exactly figured out how that's all going to unfold yet... but I'm thinking something along the lines of grief counselling. Or, art therapy? Or? I feel like with what I've gone through over the years, I have become a strong person that has truly been given some valuable insight on how to deal with grief. I'm finally at a place of peace with it all, and I feel like I need to help others with all that I've learned.

ACCOMPLISHMENT - I have taken over as Manager for Beyond Wild. It's not exactly grief counselling, but it's definitely a way to give back by acting as a mentor for kids age 10-13. It's been so very rewarding. I love, love, LOVE, it.

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GOAL #3

RENOVATE - Finish my basement - which was a goal for 2010 but I'm still waiting for my contractor. Hopefully he shows up before 2012!

ACCOMPLISHMENT - He finally showed up and my basement is all finished. It has a "Man Cave" for Grady, a bathroom, and most importantly, a MUSIC ROOM (see goal #6). Whoot!!

BTW... I will soon be posting photos of the finished basement.

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GOAL #4

TRAVEL - When my husband passed away, I made the goal of traveling somewhere at least once a year (because life is just way too darn short to put it off). This spring I am taking my girls to either Disneyworld, or Disneyland.  

ACCOMPLISHMENT - The four of us travelled to Disneyland in the spring. Unfortunately I got really sick and never made it out of the hotel room :(

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GOAL #5

QUALITY TIME - Spend more quality time with my girls because they're growing up way too fast all of sudden. I'm thinking pedicure nights, girls movie nights, tea parties and board games. You know, all the stuff that will win me the title of SUPER MOM.

 ACCOMPLISHMENT - Since January, we've been having family nights, once a week. The four of us LOVE it and really look forward to it.

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GOAL #6

 GUITAR - Concentrate more on learning the guitar. I've been trying for two years now, but it's time to get SERIOUS here!

ACCOMPLISHMENT - I built an entire room in my basement for just that! It's sound proof too, so Grady can go nuts on his drum kit and he won't wake up the neighbours!

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GOAL #7

SYMPHONY - Attend a Symphony, which was a 2010 goal but I found out that the Symphony is coming right here to Creston in a few months, so I'm going to go to that! 

ACCOMPLISHMENT - I attended while it was in town, and it was beautiful.

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GOAL #8

 SMOKING - Quit smoking for good.

ACCOMPLISHMENT - In three more days, I will have quit for three months. I'm really proud of myself for that. BIG TIME.

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That's it. That's all. And now that I have a chance to look back at the list, I'm feeling very accomplished. I would encourage you all to do the same. Write a list, tuck it away, and then revisit it six months later or so to see how much you've got done. You'll be surprised at how productive you are!