Sunday, August 30, 2009

Have you taken any chances lately?

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide

Introducing...

SPUDSPORTS.NET Spudsports is the work of my dh and his latest endeavor. It is the new website featuring all of our local high school's sports. Its been a long time coming...

We moved back to the FM area in 2003. Everything that lead up to it is a different post for another time. But suffice to say, we moved here with no jobs, no income, small kids and no direction for this new life we were creating. We took a huge leap of faith, but our community didn't let us down.

On a quest for something to do, one night Rick took his camera and went to a hockey game to shoot photos. He figured the best way to showcase what he could do was to build a website and display his photos. Little did we know the "reach" this "little" site would one day have. Spudhockey took off at its inception and seemingly overnight a large following occurred. And a passion was ignited. While the site itself wasn't an income revenue generator, so many of our blessings have stemmed from this little bit of inspiration. Photography jobs ensued, and eventually a path unfolded leading us to the creation of a full fledged publishing company.

The concept of the Spud Sports website began to evolve in 2006 after the success of www.spudhockey.com and all the positive comments and feedback over the past several years. With a background in yearbook, publishing and journalism and a passion for photography what better way to showcase our community and that of our alma mater - Moorhead High School, than to produce a site dedicated to all athletes. High school activities were an exciting part of our past and continue to be a highlight in watching our high school athletes compete. We are passionate about capturing these moments and memories for everyone to enjoy and relive through this website.

This fall, 2009, we created a staff comprised of journalism students currently at Moorhead High School as well as graduates of Fargo North and West Fargo to begin this task to create the SpudSports website. We will also launch an advertsing campaign in order to raise funds to pay our student staff and help with photographic and video equipment. We have partnered with the SpudBoosters to give back to our teams based on the additional revenue this site generates.

I am using "we" loosely, because so many people have been instrumental in ensuring this site gets off the ground. As school districts face shrinking dollars, I think its going to continue to be parents of students and other members of the community coming up with creative solutions to help fund our extracurricular activities.

Here are a few samples of the products Rick's company, RWP, has produced recently...



This is the 2008-2009 yearbook produced and printed by RWP for the elementary school our boys attend.

Photobucket

This is a photobook written by Bruce Crummy, a local photographer, and filled with his extraordinary photos portraying the flood of 2009 that threatened our community. I was teary-eyed by the time I got to the end of the book. I was instantly drawn back into the weight of the emotional upheaval in our own life caused by the flood. Our family attended a book signing last week and was excited to hear almost all of the copies are sold and the book has been well received.

Photobucket


Nature photography... Rick took these last fall on a trip back to Idaho.








One of my favorite photos of the boys. This is mounted on artboard and the size is so big it fills up the wall over our staircase.

Photobucket

We've lived in Minnesota again, for 6 years now. A lot came out of that fateful night, when Rick grabbed his camera and went to a hockey game. We always believed we'd find a way to create a new life and make a living here, although there was never a script for how to do it. Its one of the best risks we've ever taken. Have you taken any risks lately?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

All the numbers

26 = the number of fights I break up each day.

12= the number of posts I have started that are yet unfinished.

13= the number of stinkin days left till school starts. (Apologies to all teachers who deserve every one of those 13 days left.)

3= the number of minutes I get to complete a task without being interrupted by kid requests.

6= the number of baskets piled pathetically with clothes to be folded and put away.

90= the predicted temperature for tomorrow.

0= the number of public pools open.

< 2= the number of hours my dh is around these days.

3,126 = the number of things I can think of to do right now that don't include kids.

-1= the number of things I can think of left to do that we haven't already done with the kids this summer.

?= the number of nerves I have left that aren't a bit trampled.

8 = the number of people who have said they are in the same boat as me.

5= the number of people who are willing to bring Bacardi Raz to said boat and drink with me (any other takers?)

1 big one= the number of smiles on my face after writing this. Life is good... its all still good.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Fargo Airsho


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket




I was a pretty lucky girl yesterday. I forgot my camera. Guess who leant me his back-up? Yep, photog hubby who has some pretty nice "office equipment." So he put a long lens on his camera for the close-up shots, and I got the smaller lens which worked great for on the ground shots.

With camera gear and children in tow, we headed off to the Fargo Airsho. I was reminded of how far Nolan has come with his sensory issues. The first time we took Nolan when he was 3. He didn't last long. He became "supercharged" and "overstimulated" in the huge crowds. Plus he was flooded with lots of new smells like jet fuel, and loud super-sonic jet engine noises.

But this time he kept his composure right up until the Blue Angels were introduced. He suddenly became overcome with panic in remembering how loud they had been going over our house on Tuesday when they practiced. Fortunately a man with an extra set of earplugs offered them to us. The ear plugs and a bit of cajoling and comforting on my part seemed to help. We also let him escape the masses and we stood on the outskirts instead of in the midst of the crowd.

We were treated to a wonderful show. I am in awe of the skills and daredevilish bravery on display. But it was such a great feeling to think that these are the type of men and women that serve and protect our country every day.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sunday, August 16, 2009

At the lake


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket

Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket





We jumped at the chance to visit our neighbor's lake last week. We can't seem to get enough. We shoved swimsuits and towels, sunscreen and snacks into the Prius and drove a quick 45 minutes to the lake. We had to be back for hockey at 6.

As soon as we arrived at the cabin we jumped in the boat with a gaggle of kids and headed for a hidden adventure known to the locals as "the island." The secret hidden amongst the trees is a rope swing. A platform with two differing heights has been built into the side of the hill. You make your way up the steep embankment and choose your fate. The lower platform for the adventurous ones, or the top platform for the daredevils.

With my small camera, it was a challenge to catch all the action.  I managed a few well timed shots.  Colton, who is even below adventurous on the platform scale, delighted in the soft sand, burying his feet and wiggling his toes.  We left the island with a promise to return one day.

 We rode back to the cabin where I put my camera down, climbed on a  floatie and drank in the sun.  The time flew by.  The kids skipped rocks.  They found clams and shells in the water.  Nolan swam.  Colton waded.  And both had to be dragged away when it was time to leave.  

It was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon.  We felt so lucky to be invited down. Thank you to the Mohr family for allowing us to enjoy a small slice of your lake paradise. And allowing us to escape the memory laden rooms of our house for yet another day.

______________________________________________________________________________________


Colton: Mom, if we get another dog, I have the perfect name.

Me: Really, what?

C: How about Dakota II.

Me: (Big gulp) Um, no. Do you have any others names?

C: Yes, how about "Christopher" (his little friend's name)

Me: (giggling now): Um, I don't think so... think of some of your favorite things and maybe you'll come up with a good one...

C: Okay, I've got it! TARGET! You said favorites, and Target is my favorite store.

Me: Uhhhh, well, maybe. We'll think about it okay?

When you get lucky

When you get lucky

Popular Posts

Minnesota.com

Minnesota.com - MN Weather, Map, Businesses and Blogs
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape