Almost time for craft shows

That's right....craft show season is just about to start for me.  My first show will be The Harvest Festival at Cashman Center September 6th-8th.

Diane and I are teaming up again for most of our shows.  It works really well for both of us. 

Come see us at the Harvest Festival...we're in space 821.  We'll be featuring Halloween, Harvest, Fall along with some Christmas/Winter.  

Don't forget to bring your canned good donation for Safe Nest to receive $2 off your entry.  

Bad news...Good news

Fifteen years ago I had one of my knees scoped for the first time.  I was 35.  Ten years later I had both of them scoped at 45...on my birthday.  It was a great birthday gift for me.  There have been countless shots of cortisone for all these years.  I tried the gel shots as well.  They are all a temporary fix that relieve the pain.  Don't get me wrong...I actually look forward to them and the relief they bring. They just aren't lasting anymore.
This week I went to see my orthopedist...not just go in for the shot clinic.  I received good news and bad news.  Bad news...the cartilage is so damaged in my knees they are now bone on bone with bone spurs as well.  I knew I had to be getting close to that point.  Good news...my knees are to the point that I am a candidate for knee replacement.  I don't know if I'll get anymore shots before surgery...he didn't say anything about it.  I'll need to ask.

So the paperwork now begins for approval and scheduling.  It's looking like mid October before anything happens. It could be worse, my mom had to wait five months to get scheduled for her replacements, and they would only do one at a time.  I'll be getting both done at the same time.  
Hopefully, I will get my three biggest craft shows complete before that happens, and make enough money from them to pay all my bills through the end of the year.  I normally do 6-8 shows.  It also appears that our BBQ competitions for the year are over as well with this diagnosis...another bummer.
I feel as though I have missed out on a large portion of my life because of these dang knees.  I've always been one to want to know what's over the next hill.  I've not been able to do that in a long time. When I can't even make myself get out of the car to go into the craft store there is seriously something wrong...and I know I'm just not being wimpy about the whole thing.  I have a high tolerance for pain and I'll get through all this and be out exploring and seeing what's over the next hill again beginning next year.

DecoArt's New Chalkboard Paint for Glass

Yes, you heard that right...chalkboard paint make especially for glass!  

DecoArt has developed a chalkboard paint that can be applied to glass and after a quick baking process is dishwasher safe.  Can you just imagine the fun you can create with this product.  Use your digital cutter (Silhouette, Cricut, etc) to create a stencil with vinyl, adhere your shape to the glass you've chosen and pounce 2 light coats onto the glass with a make up sponge, remove the vinyl and...ta-da...practically instant details for your wedding, party, home decor and more. 

Click on the link below to see a video of the product.

http://www.decoart.com/glasspaint/glass-chalkboard-paint

I had the opportunity to be at the Craft and Hobby Association's opening night's Craft and Connect event in Las Vegas this week to give a demo on this product.  People were soooo excited about this product and the possibilities that it will offer their customers.  Everyone got to try the product and go home with samples of the product, along with DecoArt's Clear Chalkboard Paint, info on both products and primary colors of the Americana satin paint.   

I'm proud to be a DecoArt Helping Artist and happy to be able to help promote their newest product at the Craft and Hobby Association's summer convention.  Thanks for the opportunity.  

Now...go out and try this amazing product....I think you're gonna love it. 

Cassy turns 7

Our furry little girl, Cassy is 7 years old today.  She's such a huge part of our life that it's hard to imagine it without her.  

 She loves the get out and explore with us.  We got her a pair of Doggles last year that she doesn't mind wearing, as long as we're on the move.  

Of course, she relaxes at home. 

She loves to bark at and tries to destroy the sprinklers when they're running. 

 Loves the comforts of home like her toys....and the couches...and our bed.

Goes to barbecue contests with us, we even got her a bed of her own (which she seldom uses). 

She goes most places with us...definitely one of the family. 

Happy birthday Cassy!  We love you.

Our baby turns 26

Seriously, how did this happen?  I just don't know...hard to believe it happened right before my eyes.  I so wish I had baby pictures on my computer...but alas, only the last few years is all you get to see.  

Yeah, I know, it's not a great photo of either one of us.  Bit it's Christmas morning with no make up or hair yet. 

I'm so proud to say he's turned out to be an awesome young man!  I never had my doubts but I'm still amazed with this guy sometimes.  

He loves to camp, ride his ATV, shoot, and more.  He's also a great cook.

He'll hang out with me when no one else will.  He's cut, sanded, and painted more wood than he would care to mention.  He even painted windows with me during the holiday season.  He's an awesome welder, too.  

He's a war buff, super knowledgeable about firearms and can shoot like nobody's business.  This is a recent photo of him shooting a 535 yard shot...and he hit it several times.  

Last year, he and Bri got engaged while in Reno/Tahoe.  What a romantic guy he can be.  

Looks like a wedding this coming winter for these two.  

As a parent, you strive to raise your children to be the best people they can be.  You want them to be trustworthy, helpful, courteous, loyal, helpful, friendly, kind, obedient, thrifty, brave, clean and reverberant...oh wait, that's all the points of the Scout Law.  I'm so proud of my Eagle Scout. 

Here's wishing our baby boy...all 280 pounds. 6 foot 4 inches of him a very happy (although this post is late) birthday!  We love you pieces! 

Independence Day

Wishing all Americans a safe and happy 4th of July.  

Blog Updates

Stop by my other blogs for the latest about our last trip at TrailhoundAdventures to Williams AZ area and Trailhound Smokers BBQ for more about our last BBQ contest.