Life without dad and MOM

 My dad was my inspiration for this blog. His love of photography, memories and family are my daily inspiration. Loosing my dad in 2006, at age 63, was heartbreaking. I knew his love, his passion would live in me and I could carry it forward, for both of us. I try, daily, to carry it for us. When my camera is in my hand, whether I am photographing vacations, grandchildren, family gatherings, I take pictures. Many, many pictures. I thrive on capturing and savoring those special moments. I guess you could say, I am obsessed with capturing those moments to a tee. Maybe, some would say, I take about 4-5 pictures to every 1 picture others take. I am okay with that. I know that would be dad too!  Since this blog started, with my dad’s legacy in mind, I have lost the 2 aunts who helped me stay connected to genealogy and my family heritage, on both sides. And worst of all, I lost my mom. Just this past April, almost 15 years after losing my dad. I am grasping for my meaning, my purpose, my moving forward, my future-without both of them. I know they would want me to be happy, to thrive, to live. I know they are with me. I know they loved me. I know this and yet…. I miss them. I miss what I took for granted. That they were there. Whether good times, or times I just did what my mom wanted to please her, I took for granted that tomorrow would be there. At least for longer than it was. While I try not to have regrets, I have moments of missing them and wondering what life would be if I could have had both of them longer than I did. I will try my best, to live, love, remember and make sure Norah, Ben, Claire and Addy, and our not yet born grandchildren, know who my mom and dad were. Their love for family, their dedication to their life, passion, children, grandchildren….. will be remembered. This is how I can make they and I will never forget! Love you dad and mom!

This is a memories and more post

It’s been 5 years since I have posted! So much has happened in 5 years! I won’t go into detail but I now have 4 grandchildren! The loves of my life! Can’t even explain! My new normal is trying to live the best life I can live. Trying to be the best version of me! I am focused on clean eating, workouts and mindset meditations! Danette May came into my life in July 2017. Some family members I thought were family members are no longer family members. It has been a sad change, but a change I have no control over.  I am focusing on me and what I can focus on. I am meeting new, energized, wonderful women along the way.  While I still love photography, think about my dad, daily, and try to focus on what feeds my soul, I am all in on my journey of love, life, and self discovery ❤️❤️❤️. I have released 65 pounds since I have been here last. I am just starting to truly find me and I’m not going to lie, I am a little scared. I only know that so far I am feeling better than I have (since I don’t know when). I am blessed! To be continued...

Every Fleeting Thing

My dear friend Sandy Tully (Sandra Miranda Tully) wrote a beautiful book of poetry. When her book was published everyone was so excited for her. The book, "Every Fleeting Thing" is amazing! Many of the poems reflect Sandy's struggles and experiences of overcoming several life threatening cancers. Our church held a special summer evening of poetry, where we heard Sandy and her son Michael. Michael played piano, sang, and accompanied many of Sandy's poems. Sandy read poems. What a beautiful evening and treat! Many of my photo note cards were used for participants to comment to Sandy about the evening. I was honored when asked if the evening could end with the audience using my photo note cards for comments rather than just filling out another evaluation of a program. Sandy got to read comments about the amazing evening and her poems on my photo note cards. For more information on Sandy and her book go to www.everyfleetingthing.com    For more information about my photo note cards email me at debbiekusch@yahoo.com or leave a comment here. Thanks for your visit, I appreciate it!
Debbie

Hard to say Goodbye

 It was 7 years ago June 30 that my dad passed and this year on July 13 we lost my father-in-law, Jack. My in-laws live on a beautiful lake in Northern Wisconsin. Sunsets every night, boat rides around the lake and watching the Eagles overhead were just a few highlights of each visit. Spending time up north with family was always fun and many of the photos I took were used in some photo note cards I had made. When my father-in-law passed, my mother-in-law asked me if I would make photo note cards for her to use as her thank yous after his funeral. I was truly honored and knew every photo would remind each recipient of Jack and their lake home. I made just over 100 cards for her, praying with each one, for Jack, the recipient, and my mother-in law, Judy. These photos are just a few samples. We have so many great memories of Pine Lake visits; 32 years worth for me and more for my husband, Mark, and his family.  Life is precious and we don't know when our time here on earth will end. It makes me truly cherish my family and friends even more. I know Jack is smiling down on us all and we have another guardian watching over us. We love you and miss you dad!

Creative renewal!

It's been a long time since I felt like blogging much less creating anything; too long! I just spent an amazing 24 hours with Teresa, one of my biggest cheerleaders, at part of an artists retreat in Lake Geneva. We laughed, chatted and shared where we each are on our journey. I truly cherish that I have someone I can really talk with who I feel "gets me". Thanks Teresa for your listening and encouraging words. I got back a little spark or nudge to do more with my photo note cards. I will share when I get the creative ideas out of my head and onto the paper!

Life is what happens when you are too busy to blog!

Wow I can't believe I haven't blogged since November! I knew it's been awhile but I thought maybe a month or two.  Where does the time go? I have not had a chance to work on any photo note cards since before Thanksgiving. I have taken a lot of snow pictures and thought about making some cards but haven't. In the past month our middle daughter got engaged and our oldest daughter found out she is pregnant and making me a grandma! I somehow think I might become more preoccupied than I have been. I look forward to creating baby scrapbooks and an engagement scrapbook. I am looking forward to spring, warmer weather and an overnight with other artists at an artists retreat in April. Maybe that will help me get re-inspired to create! Hoping to blog sooner than last time!

Widgets, Gadgets, and Buttons, Oh My!

I have spent the last day and a half trying to figure out and add buttons and gadgets! I am still trying. Thanks to Teresa who came up for a day long visit to show me some how to's and new tricks. Our visit went so fast but was so much fun. Two of the new buttons I did manage to add are her blog sites. Try them and let me know if they worked for you and learn more about her! I am still trying to add a button for my blog for you to grab. I haven't exactly figured it out but am determined to keep trying. This stuff takes hours. I think I managed to add a favicon but it's pretty small so I may change it. I have a 225 page PDF from the Flying Lessons e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts that has many tips, I just need to spend the time learning it. If I realize the baby steps I've taken a long the way and would have more confidence in my learning, I think I am doing okay, I just want to know more now. Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.
Debbie :)

Artist Date

In addition to the Kelly Rae Roberts Flying Lessons e-course, I am reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Both of these great resources were recommended to me by my friend Teresa. I am grateful to her for these suggestions! In The Artists Way, Julia suggests writing 3 pages every day to get cluttered stuff out of your head to make room for creativity, and going on weekly artist dates to soak up that creativity that's all around. The writing is going okay but I haven't managed to do it everyday. The artist date though, I think I could manage weekly!  After work last night I went to JoAnn and just walked the aisles. I looked at papers, embellishments, stickers, idea books, stamps, just about everything. I love being able to go in there when I don't have to rush or I don't have a specific list or agenda.  With all the new blogs I've visited it's fun to see all the beautiful things people make. Then going up and down all those aisles, it makes me want to take time to create. I had fun and managed to spend some fun money. I think I'd like to commit to this weekly artist date thing! I am continually amazed at the talent of so many "Flyers". The energy, tips, and resources shared by all is a great way to learn and share and grow (or should I say soar)! Off to learn how to add "grab a button".  Watch as I progress and "show and tell" what I am learning. Enjoying the flight so far-

El Rey and the Night Beats

Last night I attended the 55th anniversary reunion concert of El Rey and the Night Beats.  El Rey and the Night Beats is a very well known original Waukesha (Wisconsin) Band.  I proudly tell people that my dad was the original lead singer! From about 1957-1960 my dad sang and played his Gretch guitar. The ladies loved him. He was like Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley all in one.  I had the privilege of hearing my dad sing at a few reunions the band had. My dad would record and take photos of the many reunions and send copies to all the band members. These are great memories for me. I attended their 50th reunion in 2007, about a year after my dad died.  They had a tribute to my dad and other original members played. I took many photos and was moved to tears.  This past July and August I attended another events they played for and took more photos. Knowing I was going to the 55th reunion last night I printed some pictures and burned over 100 of the photos I had taken on to CD's for the band. As I gave the photographs and CD's to the band, I said, "my dad passed the job of taking pictures on to me". I truly believe that too.

This photo is one of the original photos of the band. My dad is the one standing in front of the microphone. I can still hear him singing "It's only make believe" by Conway Twitty and "One night with you" by Elvis- songs he'd sing to my mom.

New facebook page!

I just created a new facebook page for photographsmemoriesandmore! I am on week 2 of Kelly Rae's Flying lessons and am very overwhelmed! One suggestion she had was to have a separate facebook page for my business. I am still so new at all this but I started it and can beautify it as I learn more. I also need to learn more about my blog and enhancing it, adding buttons and widgets???? All so confusing but I will look back on this someday and think-it's all so easy. Maybe! You can find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/photographsmemoriesandmore   Stop by for a visit and "like me" Thanks!

Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts

Tomorrow I begin a 6 week e course with Kelly Rae Roberts.  I am looking forward to learning creative ways to help me in growing my creative business and being inspired by her. My friend Teresa took this course last year and loved it! She let me know right away when it was offered this year and told me not to miss it. Stay tuned as I share my experiences and thoughts during this course.  Kelly Rae's blog is:
http://www.kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/

always on my mind

It's funny how I can't seem to get my mind off of my dad and his camera store. I think about it all the time. Then the other day I came across some old photos and found this one taken around 1980. I believe it was taken by my dad, or maybe my brother, trying a new filter system and double exposing this image. When you work at a camera store you are often the subject of "test" shots. I looked at this photo and remembering it thought, "how ironic it is 30 some years later and I love that it represents how I feel today".  That Colony Camera Shop is always on my mind!  This month was the month of annual family reunions and one of them was my dad's side. His remaining 6 siblings and their families were all there. I always have a great time catching up with family and listening to old stories. I have become the family photographer and historian of old photos. One of my aunts has done the genealogy work and I am working with her to put something together with the old photos. It makes my heart sing knowing I am doing something my dad would have loved and the family truly appreciates it.  I am not sure I am any closer to accomplishing my ultimate dream but I know I am enjoying the day to day journey of what is, and am truly okay with whatever the outcome as long as I can hope, dream and smile along the way.  Dad, you are always on my mind-

Comfort zones, FaceBook and Encouragement

This week has been an amazing week. Thanks to Teresa for adding me to her "Latebloomer" flower pot. I am so touched by her kindness. I went out of my comfort zone and posted not only her blog on my facebook wall, but mine! I have been blogging since late November and only a few people even knew I was or knew how to find it to read it. Now it's out there!  I am also overwhelmed with all the encouraging comments and positive responses. There's no turning back now. My next goal for myself will be to figure out an Etsy store, which again scares me. But I know I can do it! Thank you all for your support and encouragement!

Debbie

A FEW SAMPLES

 Here are just a few samples of the over 500 cards I have made so far. There is a good variety and I am putting together packs of 6 (blank inside) photo notecards with envelopes for $15.00. One learning curve for me is technology. It is my hope that I soon have an Etsy shop with pay pal, I just need to learn how :).
I would appreciate any comments you may have so I have an idea of just how soon I need to learn it! If there is any interest so far, I will stop creating cards (temporarily) and start learning how to really sell them via the internet.  Thanks for visiting my blog! You can also share with me your blog and your passion,  I would love to learn about you!

I am a creative late bloomer

I am A Creative Late Bloomer!                                                 By: Debbie Kusch        June 11, 2012

Pictures, pictures, pictures.  So many pictures so little time! I have always taken more pictures than the average person.  My father owned and operated a camera store for 43 years.  I have been scrapbooking and making my own Christmas cards for more years than I can remember.  My poor children, year after year I would pose them for multiple family photos for my annual handcrafted photo Christmas card.  I used or should I say reused beautiful cardstock covers from old worship booklets from my church. My father processed and developed my pictures (if I hadn’t gotten his discount I probably would have been one of his best customers).

My children weren’t the only subject of my photos. My husband and I enjoy traveling and visiting different locations each year. I have many pictures from those vacations. I have always been complimented on the pictures I take. The composition, the quality, and the clarity of the photos have often been feedback that was heard, valued and imbedded in my heart as I went about my daily life, raising my family and working. I feel I have been given the gift, passion and love of photography. Maybe handed down from my dad and instilled as more than a hobby. 

My dad passed away about 6 years ago. I lost not only my friend and mentor but my means of having all those photos developed. Not only was the quality of his work superb, my discount helped and I realized that when I went somewhere else recently after he was gone. The cost and inconsistent quality, in my opinion, led me to digital photography and printing my own pictures from home. After many years of taking and printing my own pictures as a hobby, I had begun to feel I was missing the boat on life. I loved spending time at my computer, editing and printing and feeling the energy and love of my dad along the way. When I went to work, I’d think about my dad and his business. It was truly his love and he did what he loved until he no longer could. I continue to be inspired by his example and long for his legacy to live through me. I often think about opening my own business in his camera store.

I have worked at our church for 13 years in the religious education department. I have enjoyed what I do and I am grateful for what being part of a faith community has done for my family. I am especially grateful for the love and support from that community when I underwent treatment for breast cancer when I was 40.  In the past few years, maybe because of my dad’s death, I have thought about and wondered how I can do both, work at church and continue his legacy. Many hours are spent at work on program planning and implementing; day hours for planning and night and weekend hours for implementing. I spent a lot of time craving photography and feeling a loss. I didn’t necessarily want to quit my job, nor could I afford to, yet I continued to say “I really want to do what I REALLY WANT to do”.

Then came the Sedona vacation! About eight months ago my husband and I traveled to the beautiful red rock of Sedona, Arizona. I was so taken aback by all the beauty. I took so many pictures and each new light and each new angle was that much more beautiful.  But the best part was meeting Teresa because I am now doing something with all those photos. Teresa and her husband, and me and my husband happened to be in the same building and would often end up in the hot tub with our beverages after the long days. We’d compare our adventures for the day and got to know each other. Teresa and I started talking about our hobbies, passions and dreams. We both had so much to say and had more in common than one would ever realize in the amount of time you spend on vacation chatting with strangers. We were kindred spirits! I felt like I met my soul sister. Well, at 51, I can tell you that I am a creative late bloomer because of the steadfast support and cheerleading from Teresa. She had an awesome blog which gave me the courage to blog myself. Her art and inspiration truly fed my “I can do this” thinking and feeling.

One day shortly after viewing and printing my Sedona pictures I had a vision of creating “Photo Note Cards” They could look like my Christmas cards except that instead of a family photo it would have a beautiful image of my many vacation shots.  I had been collecting the cardstock covers from old worship booklets from my church for several years and had a pretty good supply. I created a few cards and fell in love with the cards and the idea. It was like a door opened and I couldn’t be stopped. I made over 300 cards, I came up with a logo, “Prayerfully Recycled”, had it professionally designed and added a short description of the paper being repurposed from worship covers. I created packing for packs of six blank photo note cards.  I took some cards to work, received great feedback and sold some just “showing” them.  I sent samples to Sedona businesses with a letter about my story and kept making cards, printing my own pictures, cutting each piece of paper and adhering them all together to create each photo note card while dreaming and thinking “maybe I could do this and work at church while I build my creative dream to bring beauty to others while recycling paper that was prayed with and build my “flower pot”, one blossom at a time, and dream of someday being in my dad’s camera store, selling cards, offering scrapbooking classes and printing photos.

I have since created over 500 photo note cards, cards from past vacations, retreats, flowers, sunsets and more. Each is as beautiful as the next. I have sold many and receive affirmations of the thought and quality in each card. I am inspired to keep dreaming and keep my options open. I am very grateful to Teresa for her encouragement and support. She has been a true inspiration to many and should really be the first creative late bloomer in her flower pot!

Visit Teresa's site here  http://www.imalatebloomer

Happy Father's Day

This photo was taken on Father's Day. It's my dad's headstone. This Saturday will be 6 years since he's passed. I wanted to share this because I truly feel his love of photography is engrained in every part of my being. Notice the art work on the headstone. We carefully crafted a design that would be symbolic of our family and especially my dad. He is standing behind his camera, which is on a tripod taking a picture of my family (my mom, my 2 brothers, and me). We couldn't forget the family dog, Tammy, a German Shepard who lived to be 14!  Every time I visit his grave this image reminds me of his unending love of photography and it makes me smile. I feel blessed to know he truly lives on in me, and my siblings and my children.  I love you dad!

coaching, classes, growth

I feel like I'm on fire! In just 1 week I have signed up for a 4 hour workshop on starting a business at our local community college, Kelly Rae Roberts September e-course, Amy Ahlers, Wake up Call Coaching "Big Fat Lies Summit" and Brene' Brown's "I thought it was just me" e-course on shame resilience.  I have already listened to some of the Big Fat Lies Summit and Brene' Brown- wow these women are amazing and I think just what I need for encouragement and growth. I am so grateful for all the women who can embrace and share their wisdom and enthusiasm for those of us who need it. I will try to add their links to this blog, but I am still to new at this blog stuff. Until next time!

Earth Day!

I just returned from a weekend retreat with a theme "Healing the World from the Inside Out". One of the most touching points was how we brought the intention of holding the earth, and all, in love.  It not only was a grace filled weekend with co workers and friends, it was a real reminder that taking care of the earth is crucial for the future of human kind! I went home thinking I really want to start a garden again. My grandma was a gardener and I so admired her steadfast care for her flowers, fruit trees and vegetables.

One affirming thought I had was on how I share in the awesome responsibility of taking part in taking care of the earth in that I reuse the card stock covers of the church worship booklets for all my cards. It feels good to know what I love to create is from something that has worn out it's significant purpose for another significant purpose.

I took 284 pictures this weekend. Flowers, Lake Michigan, rocks, and the things I love about the Siena Retreat Center in Racine.  I even took some "photo notecards" I had made from pictures I had taken on past retreats to see if they might sell them in their bookstore. At this time they said no, they have lots of cards and don't have a lot of room. I took that as another "no thank you" and still hold hope that something, someday will take off  for me. I really trust this and will continue to create as it re-energizes me in my day to day routines.

Happy Earth Day!

Encouraging words!

I have really only sold my photo notecards through co-workers so far. I have sold a few outside of work, but for the most part it has been through just showing co-workers what I have "done" so far.  One co-worker, Barb, has purchased a few of my "sets of 6 cards" and sent them as gifts.  She received an email from one of her recipients, Becky from New Hampshire, thanking her for the "gift" and how much she loved the cards. My co-worker sent the email to me to share Becky's excitement of her gift.  I was so touched by Becky's energy and love of the cards, it truly put a smile on my face and warmed my heart. Thank you Becky for the kind words! Thank you Barb for your continued support and purchases!  I just finished about 75 cards from my St. Augustine trip and love each one. Now I just have to figure out how to get the word out and sell them to more than co-workers. With permission, the following is an excerpt from Becky's email.


Sent: Sat, Apr 14, 2012 9:07 am
Subject: WOW

The photo cards, printed on (previous) covers of prayer books are AMAZING!  I can feel their spiritual energy, just holding them in my hands.  I LOVE them because you thought of me when seeing them, packaging them for mailing, and writing the note to me. And I LOVE them because of all they represent... all-good (make that great!) juju that went into them by Debbie.

It will feel like a serious sacrifice to actually write on them and mail them to someone.  I will be sure that each and every card is handled with care and love and sent to people who can and will appreciate their meaning.  I guess I'm over-reacting here, but really, Barb...I am blown away by their beauty and the loving thought put into the effort. And that they came from YOUR church?!  I am truly blessed by them..each and every one of them.

I might frame one to keep. BUT which one?!  Feels kind of selfish, but I might!!

Many thanks, good friend, and I send blessings right back to you.

More Beautiful Pictures!

During our recent trip to St. Augustine, Florida, I took over 1400 photos! The old town was breathtaking! I can't wait to turn these photos into note cards. It was amazing because with each photo I took I could picture the card and could picture them being sold anywhere. Where the beautiful Sedona ones are pretty specific to certain people, the St. Augustine photos will be appealing to a larger audience.  Now all I need is a little extra time to create!