Family Playdate

This afternoon Skye suggested we go to the park and play some disc golf. It was humid as hell and there were a ton of gnats zooming around us - one which I believe is still lodged in my ear canal - but the sky was overcast so we were spared the scorching Texas sun's rays.

While Toby and Skye spent most of their time in the snake-ridden brush hunting their lost discs, I took the opportunity to take some photos of the wildflowers.

My phone is an older model and lately has not been giving me the quality pictures that it used to. Skye has suggested a few times that I get a DSLR camera. In the past, I had bucked the idea, but recently I've been entertaining the idea. I would have to do my research first though. I don't want more than I need and I know they can get bulky and expensive.

Here's a few faces of Bo I have captured recently also....

He resembles a dog porn star in these next two...

Reflect and Ponder

I feel the need to reflect and ponder on my life via my blog. My little family is at a weird place in our lives. A transitional phase, if you will.

THE SHOP (GRIDLOCK TATTOO)

Not long ago, Toby and I mutually decided to keep the shop running for a while longer. We've gotten a little spoiled by being our own boss and living by our own rules. Running the shop keeps us both pretty busy on two different levels of the playing field. A few facets of my life (mostly my free time) now get neglected because of it, but right now that's just the way it is.

Toby's good reputation as a tattoo artist, our loyal customer base, referrals, and his (and mine) excellent business management skills have been what has kept us afloat for the past 3 years. If he has proved nothing else, he can at least say he (we) can do it! 

I have to give Toby full props though. With all his hard work, he has made that shop a success. Sadly, we have received very little support from our local community. 95% of the customers that walk through our door are referrals, loyal clientele who followed him from Atomic, or customers who do their research and find our shop from our excellent YELP reviews or our FB page that showcases his awesome tattoo work. Most of our customer base are from Elgin and North Austin.

At times, it has been a stressful journey, yet it has been easier in so many ways than it's been hard. I'm not sure how much longer we will keep our doors open. It depends on the opportunities that may or may not arise in the future.

As usual, my life has no foresight and very little security. Even so, my family has a roof over our head and food in our mouths, which is all the really matters in any given moment.

MY SECOND BORN (SKYE)

Skye just recently passed her Texas driving permit test. Texas makes you jump through hoops in regards to obtaining a drivers permit/ license. She had to endure hours of lecture on road rules, etc. before she could even take her test. She scored well....it didn't surprise me. She works really hard for things she wants. She has excellent work ethic and enthusiasm for things that interest her, which I believe will be an asset for her in her future endeavors.

So, the past couple of weeks I've had a chauffeur. I won't lie and say I've been enjoying it. Not because her driving makes me nervous ( it doesn't), but because my car is my mental getaway. The place I turn up my music and enjoy some mental down time. Plus, I like to break the rules by driving over the speed limit and not coming to complete stops.

LAURA AND TOBY (PERSONAL)

Toby and I enjoy spending our free time hiking or hanging out downtown exploring the city.

These are the days that Toby and I have began to mentally scold ourselves for not making those responsible decisions when we were young that would ensure and secure our future...you know, those things like retirement and nest eggs. As it is now, we will be one of those old folks you see greeting you at the front door of Walmart. Hell, we may end up being one of Austin's homeless population. At least, Austin is the place to be if you're homeless.

Unless, we win the lottery - which I have no unrealistic expectations about, our senior years look grim. As usual though, I will hope for the best.

A Break

Today Toby and I took a little break from our daily, mundane routine to St. Edwards Park.

The water was cold, but it was a beautiful, warm day so it felt good.....

 We love sitting by the small rapids and listening to the water rush.....

There were tons of tadpoles waiting to become toads......

The wildflowers are beginning to struggle to stay in bloom.....
 

We exited from the creek on a different path than our usual and came upon what looked to be someone's creation of a stick tent....

...and decor....

I felt like I could have stayed there sitting by the water all day long.