My Favorites on Etsy

2 movie recomendations

The A Team

It was funny and suspenseful!  My husband and I both enjoyed it. Good plot.  Plus that Bradley Cooper is easy on the eyes. :)

We seen Knight and Day last night and both really loved it!  Maybe even better than A Team.  I don't think people were expecting it to be that good because our theatre was not full but it was GREAT!  Funny and sweet and totally action packed.  Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz can still bring it!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

I just returned from the Southeast Veterinary Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It's a great continuing education for technicians, veterinarians, and practice managers. Of course part of the reason it is so wonderful is that it is right on the beach. Myrtle Beach is absolutely one of the best beaches I have ever been too. I love how the sand just gradually dips out into the Atlantic Ocean, no drop offs. It's not white sand and the water is not turquoise but it's all still very beautiful and calming. I didn't get to "vacation" as much as I would of liked since I was there on CE but I did learn some great things at CE and I got to do what I love (taking pictures) just not as much as usual. I only came home with under 400 shots. Usually, in a vacation situation I'll take 1000's. :) Here are a few of my favorites and I also took a couple that can be used in Photoshop for textures. Feel free to snag the texture photos at the end if you would like to use them in your own work. The other photos that are not labeled textures belong to me so please do not copy them. Enjoy!

I love the trees in South Carolina!  I didn’t get any of the Magnolia trees which are HUGE and so beautiful.  They were in bloom too- I could kick myself for not getting any pictures of them!!  The mossy oaks are beautiful and enchanting.  Check out our picnic site at the state park. 
A campground at Apache Pier.
The goat is just one of many from the carousel at Broadway at the Beach.         Apache Pier
 Springmaid Pier

Lightening from our balcony at the Sea Mist Resort. 
 Murrells Inlet
The waves & a sunset.
  Family moment for someone…I wish my little dog Valentine could of came.  She has never seen the ocean.  I would of loved for the rest of my family to be there too.  Even my wicked, crazy sisters Debbie & Shannon. :)  (this photo is for you two!)
Photos for textures in  Photoshop:

Dad's

My Dad has been "bugging" me lately.  Not like coming around to much "bugging" me or talking to much "bugging" me.  More like I forgot I have a daughter "bugging" me.  I forgot I have grandkids "bugging me".  In fact, I forgot I have great-grandkids "bugging" me. 

I don't really know the exact moment our whole relationship fell apart but somewhere along the timeline of my life it did.  It may of been when he just refused to be a part of mine or my children's lives.  Maybe that did it?  I just chalk it up to a loss in my life that I have kind of learned to live without.  I try calling sometimes.  Heck, I even go and visit sometimes.  But, it's awkward.  It's uncomfortable.  It's forced. It's fake.  I love him dearly.  I even love my step-mom and think that maybe in another life we would of had a lot in common and been friends.  I'm tired of trying to sort it all out when none of it makes any sense to me.   I'm just left with feelings of uncertainty.  I just don't get it.  Why do so many people have Dad issues?

I guess with Father's Day approaching I'm feeling melancholy about it all.  He is getting up there in age (70's) and so am I.  I just wish things would be different.  I try, I think but honestly I also try not to put myself out there too much anymore.  So maybe I'm not trying near enough? I don't want the hurt or rejection that caused the tears so many years ago.  Plus as a parent I also think it's our job to reach out to our children to some extent.  I know if I called him with a need he would fill it.  Flat tire, house repairs, etc.  That has always been my Dad.  Keep him working and you got him.  I have never wanted to do that to him though.  I just want good ol' Dad back from way back when.  I want my kids to have a Grandpa like I had, which was an amazing one.  I also feel it's too late for him to be a Grandfather to my kids, none of them even really know him since he was never really around much.  

Life is weird.  

I guess as long as we both live there is hope in the future.  I will give this to God and pray he makes our relationship into one I will miss one day instead of one that I miss having.  

Etsy advise

Some things I've learned this week from my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplesubtleties:

• I set up my store and gave my products some titles I liked.  Then I read some helpful tips for Etsy store owners and it said that it's better to not "name" items but describe them.  Well I followed that advise and my hits started going down.  The past couple weeks I didn't see much action.  So last night I changed back to my original idea and renamed most of my items back from just being "descriptive".  Well it worked!  I had a sale today.  This makes my fifth sale since mid April and to top it off she ordered 7 charms!  I love that!  I hope that people really like them once they have them in their hands as I would love to be there and see their faces when they get their package.

On another note, in life I've learned that a man having a sunburn is worse than a teething baby.  Sorry honey.  It's so true.  :)  Hope everyone has a happy Monday tomorrow!  Nic-thanks for catching up-hugs to you!

Angel

My 2nd attempt at computer art.  I kinda like this one better than the first.  This is an old photo of one of my best friend's mom.  She really is an angel. :)