We're Back!

There's not enough time to write all we did, or explain how much fun we had. Suffice it to say it was the dream trip of a lifetime--shared. Karen and I had THE most perfect time of our lives. Even when it rained we loved it. Here are just a few pics. Karen is working on a DVD and an album--so next time we see you we'll force you to sit through it. : ) For now, a taste:

BTW--to explain the chickens--they're everywhere on Kauai. And we also saw a wild boar, a shark (yes...a 4 footer near shore), dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles galore (our cottage was on Turtle Cove), and an endangered monk seal. And as mentioned, LOT's and lot's of chickens. We heard them nonstop too.

Commercials to Watch For

A couple of the spots that I did music for are airing right now and I thought I would give you guys the heads up.

The first is a commercial for the whack-a-mole home game. "Wack the most in and you win!" This is something that is probably only airing during cartoons and kids programming. Claire just saw it this morning. I haven't seen it on air yet.

The second is the new GM Goodwrench campaign. This will run all year and there will be spots for Oil, Brakes and Tires. Oil is currently airing. This is on prime time so I'm guessing whether you want to see it or not, you will at some point.

D

Cali and back, the story of Snow

My trip to California was a great one, and when I say great I mean Amazing. After a grueling 30 hour drive crossing 2,000 miles of America's "Forever West" country; which just so happens to be the State slogan in Wyoming, I found myself in my new home in Kings Beach, CA. First mission, find a place to live, second a job. The first day myself and two friends found an obnoxiously small, studio apartment. We didn't care we were there, on Lake Tahoe. So I spent my winter working for Northstar-At-Tahoe as a ski Lift Operator. Nice cold long days with the added bonus of getting to snowboard on lunch break! I ended up racking 72 days on my season pass this winter and I hope for 100 next season. 

I just wanted to let everybody know that I'm back now, living in Illinois. I got to see some incredible sights during my trip, it truly is beautiful out west. Not to mention the weather, when it snows it SNOWS holy cow I had my car buried under over 2 ft multiple times just overnight I'd end up having to remove at least 2,000 pounds of the stuff. Added with all the snow I shoveled as a lift operator I must have moved over 5,000 pounds of it this Winter. Man I love snow.

Emily's Painting

More Nicaragua Shots

Hola from Nicaragua!

Daniel and I arrived in Nicaragua Tuesday afternoon and we're having an amazing time at my friends' house (if you recall photos from an outdoor wedding in North Carolina a couple of years back, it's those friends!)

We're currently sitting in their open air kitchen, drinking coffee and contemplating jumping in the pool. Today we'll head about 10 miles to the beach and for a boat ride. It's been eye opening and beautiful here. There will be lots more photos to come, but here's just a taste!

Lucy comes to America!

Many of you know I have a girlfriend from across the pond. We've been visiting each other since Sept last year. I thought you might like to know more about her.

She is a nurse, specializing in Autism. She graduated from Cambridge University! Uh huh.

Her father is a Vicar (pastor) with the Anglican Church of England.

She is about the sweetest, kindest, smartest person you will meet, and exudes such a gentle presence. I guess you can tell I am crazy about her. I hope you all meet her soon. Em likes her a lot, as do my friends. She is very family oriented, and was thrilled to meet mom and dad this time around.

So there you have it! Lucy.

My Life Sentence Has Been Extended!

By 6 months, at least!

I am happier now than I felt in this picture a little while ago.

Yesterday, the judge--a tough guy named Sato--told me my scans were clean and that he didn't need me to come back for 6 months. Dr. Sato did the radiofrequency ablation that zapped my one tumor met. He's good. It worked. The tumor hole is still shrinking and there are no new signs of any growth, anywhere. Karen and I were, needless to say, THRILLED. Now we can go to Kauai and really relax.

So now I and my lovely bride get a real honeymoon. We've waited a long time since our humble beginning--honeymoon in extravagant Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Funny--I remember Phyllis gave us $25.00 cash at our wedding and we went to Red Lobster, in Milwaukee, thinking we were splurging, living the high life (no Milwaukee pun intended).

Fast forward to now and we are blessed enough to go to a real seafood restaurant, and romantic spot--to celebrate a great life together and to celebrate plans for many more years.

So to continue bouncing around a few themes, in the spirit of the upcoming Academy Awards, let me thank all who've stood by me: Karen, who without I would be without. My lovely children Kristen and Nathan, who've been nothing but my inspiration for all their years. My parents, who put me on this planet and fostered my creativity and values. My siblings who both tortured me and nursed me, cared for me, and encouraged me, all in one lifetime. To all of my relatives for their never-ending tolerance of my eccentricities. And to all the animals that have made my life brighter--Lola, Otis, Elmo, Lily, Spot, Skyler, Hannah, BoJangles, Sluggo, Roscoe, and a few more I can't remember. To all my peers who tell me I'm valuable on occasion. My first real art mentor, Mrs. Arnold. My worst design teacher ever--Mr. King--who told me I'd never make it in this business. LOL. And to all the rest.

Oh, and I certainly did not forget--God, who made me what I am and still is.

Happy birthday Gabriel!!! He's home from California.

My crazy sweet wife turns 29 today! (Again)

In case you don't know...I fell in love with Karen at first sight. LITERALLY! Been smittin since. Today's her birthday!

I get to see sides of her daily that you all likely have no idea. She can be a bit wacky--like when we were dating she feigned (faked) injury so I carried her about a half mile just to find out she was testing me. And now she loves playing up the Thompsonzoo and Thompson Trailer Trash (our best friends are the Hurdbilly's). Nothing makes her laugh like some good old Larry the Cable Guy-like humor.

But then there's the side where she's really feisty--like when I was in the hospital and she went out and grabbed a nurse and told her under no certain circumstances that she wanted me placed on IV feeding, and now. (It happened within the hour). Or when someone messes with any of our family--woooo...don't want to be on the end of that wrath. But then she can as easily slip into mom mode and nurse little kittens to survival when no one else could, or would. She has this compassion that is matched with action like no one I've ever seen. She's not much for talking about things--she usually does things.

And then there's the creative side--like now she is making her own pendants with clay, firing them, etc. Making amazing jewelry. And can't forget that she can make anything she sees--from a halloween costume for the dogs to curtains, clothing, and everything in between. And not to be forgotten, Karen can fix a Maytag, do all types of plumbing, mend fences, and regrettably, for me, can remodel anything. I don't hold a candle to her mechanical abilities. And to show off she can cut hair, decorate, cook, and manage 4 bulldogs and 3 cats. Whew...

I could write all day about everything she can do, has done, will do, etc. But I don't have enough time and my fingers will tire out before finishing.

So suffice it to say Karen is amazing. I couldn't love her more. She's always been by me, behind me, sometimes in front of me...just accepting and caring. She's stuck with me when many haven't.

But to top it all off Karen just makes me smile when I see her. 'nuff said.

Happy birthday you complex, crazy, funny, caring, supportive, desirable chick. I LOVE you!

Stephen

Scott Got a Job!!!!

Just thought you all should know you can stop feeling sorry for him.

Birthday fun

My nephew turned 4 last weekend and Claire had a great time at the party. I had Daniel's new awesome camera on hand and some of the pictures turned out really well, so I thought I would share.

Can you believe how long Claire is??? I think she'll tower over all of us soon...

ANOTHER new addition

No, not THAT kind of addition. Quick, someone pick Phyllis' jaw off the floor!

I have a new Web site -- I've had a food blog for about 2 years, but I started using a new, better looking blog service and bought the domain name: IEatVeg.net

You can check it out here.

I'm still tweaking a few things, but already it's a vast improvement over the old one. And, fortunately, I was able to transfer the old blog so I still have my backlog of recipes from the last two years.

You'll probably recognize my Sous Chef and Chief Taster. And if you go down to the second post, I got that enamel pot and the bread recipe from Phyllis for Christmas (as did Mary and Jessica). The bread was delicious!

A New Beginning

Two years ago I started Tyrus Design in hopes that one day it would turn into a job that I could make a living off of and work from home. Today that dream comes true as this is my final day at my current job. As scary as it is, God has really seen me the whole way through and I trust that He will continue to do so. Jessica and Sepporah have been a huge support for me knowing that all the crazy hours I worked doing both jobs would eventually pay off.

Its hard to look at situations that happen in life and not see that God has his hand in everything. I don't know how this is going to end up working out, but here is pretty much the story behind my working on my own and our pregnancy:

As you all know, Jessica has a few medical conditions. We were under the understanding that pretty much Jessica would not be able to have a baby and if she could get pregnant that it would be a difficult road. I told Jess that the only way we could try and have a baby, was if I was working from home and could help take care of the baby and Jess. We put it on the backburner and I started plugging away at building a buisness for us that would allow us to have a child. Fast forward a year and I built Matts church a website that led me to a couple that owned a web design company called The Lively Merchant. I did some work for them that they really liked and offered Tyrus Design to do full time work for them. So I went down there two weekends ago and went over all the details with them.

Jessica and I came back and went over the details and prayed that God would show us what He wanted us to do and if this was the right thing. Well, two day later Jessicas doctors wanted to start her on birth control in hopes to kick start her hormones. Jessica took a pregnancy test to make sure she wasn't pregnant, and low and behold she was pregnant. That was our answer. I have to stay home to help her out and was just offered work that would allow me to be home. So my conclusion was that it had to be God. Keep us in your prayers, because this being on our own buisness is going to be a big learning experience!