When all else fails. Check the dryer!

Mornings are colder now, the sun sets way too early but things are better than ever these days. I set a goal to drop 35 lbs and as of this morning I am just 4 lbs from that goal. Heck, I am just a one inch away from wearing a size 30 pant again!
The holidays are closer now and shopping is on my mind. I think this will be a great season for me, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving more than any other holiday, it has become the thing I look forward to the most each year, just ask me why, I love to share the reason.
Oh, back to the dryer! Debbi was laughing and calling me as she was doing laundry. I come down the hall to find Maci exploring the dryer from the inside and not sure how or if she was gonna get out of it. Only after she heard me in the kitchen did she leap out and come running. She is now sleeping at my feet on the end of the bed, let's see if she stays there or ends up on my head or debbi's before the night is over!

Mondays Stink!

No way I am even gonna begin to rant and ramble about what a crappy day this was! I am so so so glad it's over! If tomorrow starts out like today I am heading to the islands for the rest of the week!

New logo translated to new sign.

GeoTagged, [N33.67802, E79.00009]

Today was brrrrrrrrrr cold! Last night was in the upper 30s! Time change is now in full effect, got more sleep or atleast I had the opportunity to get more anyway. Spent most of the afternoon working on converting most of 161 files to useable artwork for a client. Man I hate crap pulled off the intense and submitted to me as artwork! Lol so goes my day most of the time.
Can you believe how close Thanksgiving and Christmas is now? Another year is almost gone, birthday is closing in on me fast, anniversary is in just a few days and we will be celebrating 18 years of wedded bliss!
Looking forward to some new business ventures in the next few months, time is right and things are looking very good.

**** Remember, We Print Large Format Full Color On Banners, Canvas, Signs & More! We Won't Be Beat On Quality or Price! ***

Posting the sign plaque.

GeoTagged, [N33.67775, E79.00615]

Forgot to post the plaque photo. See more on my facebook page. Just search out Terry Elvis on facebook and add me!

Boooooo! Or, Hallows Eve at the Common.

Nothing like a great day at the shop, the common was all abuzz today. Everywhere you looked, people were going about the business of life. Builders were hard at work while shoppers and residents alike were strolling all over Howard avenue. My beautiful wife and both of my daughters were here having modifications to their hair by Darci at The Grand Strand Styling Salon, if you have never been there, you are missing out on a great place to get a brand new hair style. There are several stylist salons in the common and each has it's own ambiance, Darci always puts out some great work!
I worked on some projects for clients and something for myself as well. Several new customers visited today and left with a new appreciation for custom graphics done right. Lunchtime rolled by but that did not stop us from closing up shop and heading to Gordon Biersh for a great meal with some of the finest people around ( ask for Helen or Joseph ) next time you are in the area and looking for a place to eat or a great place to grab a locally brewed glass of amber!
I had time to work on a brand new Family/Business plaque, the holidays are almost upon us so stop in and take a look at this personalized unique gift idea. Made to order to suit your style and needs, this is bound to please!
Ended up at home around 6pm and got comfy in my chair with my dog on my lap while waiting on my wife and youngest daughter to get home from a mini shopping spree. Just as I was getting really comfortable, the phone rings! Was called back to the shop after dark to put graphics on a tow truck so it could be put into service tonight. Oh the things I do that others refuse to do. So back home again and getting comfy again, dog at my feet, beautiful woman who married me and whom I love dearly is lying by my side, daughters tucked in and called my son to see how his day went. Could life get much better?
Church/Sunday School in the morning, trick-o-treating tomorrow night and friends that I can count on, family almost fully intact these days, I tell you truly I am blessed beyond words!

Have a Safe Labor Day!

As I sit here this morning, I ponder the speed at which time passes, old photos and memories flood my thoughts and stimulate my senses, it is strange how you can remember a scent or a taste as much as a place or a time.. I think of the people that have moved on or passed on, the ones that have grown up and the ones that have just faded away. I find myself wondering why it is we don't have the huge family reunions from times gone by and in an age where travel is effortless, why it is that we don't just visit more often the ones we love. Even when seperated by only a few miles, we find it hard to close the gap and just go.

How many of you know the origins of " Labor Day ", come on now, don't cheat and google it! I asked a few dozen customers over the last week and some of the answers I got were.... well lets say at best " not quite right ".. so for you guys, here is the answer...

http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

This is the best version and the most fact filled that there is.

Satuday.... life lessons and stuff you need to know.

I was reminded this week of the value life has and the true value of friendship. While in the process of living, I had a customer stop in and ask a small request, I was not busy and decided to give it a shot. During the whole process we started a conversation that revealed he had been a Law Enforcement Pilot in New Jersey and had retired to the area. He asked if I could duplicate some items from his past position which was not a problem at all and I was glad to assist. After a bit it became clear that this guy ( Jim ) was going to become a friend. I don't remembber ever meeting anyone that exuded confidence quite like this guy, he and his wife both just looked so happy and healthy.

A few days passed and Jim and his wife paid me another visit, this time it was a little different, Jim asked me some questions about faith and we entered a new level of friendship. He then informed me that he was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, had a chemo pump attached and the Doctors had given him a month to six months to live. You could have knocked me over with a feather, here before me stood a guy that was the picture of health and happiness telling me this? Yet thru all of this he still had a calm confidence that God had placed this in his life to set him on a path or for some other reason but it was not by chance. He is a rock to his wife that day and you could tell it was not an act. I can tell you that I personally feel honored to be considered by Jim to be his friend, I have placed him and his wife on the prayer list in our Sunday school class and will continue to keep him there. Jim's wife stopped in the next day to pick up some little things I had completed on his request and informed me that he was feeling a little sick from the medication and could not make it there with her. While I know that this is not the normal stuff you read from me, I feel the need to let everyone know that while time is something we put a dollar value on most of the days of our lives, this week I have placed an even higher value on the friends I come into contact with each day, a high value on family and even the people I do business with. I will try and make sure that each and every person that I consider a value to me knows that I value them by the actions I take and the words I speak. I encourage you to let those you love know today how much and repete it every chance you get.

I thank God for the family I have, for the friends he sends my way and the people he sends to me as a business each day, If you are in one of those catagories then I want you to know how much each of you mean to me. A special thank you to Jim and his wife for sharing with me one of the most valuable conversations I have had in years and a prayer for them for healing and happiness in all the things yet to come their way.

Have a safe and happy Labor day Weekend and tell someone how much they mean to you before the day goes by, you never know how many breaths yo have left, use them to the fullest.

See you guys soon!

PS, here is the golf cart license plate that Jim requested, If you see him or his wife around Market Common, stop them, give them a word of encouragement and meet two of the nicest people you may ever run across! oh and if I rambled on and bored you this time around, sorry for that, just felt blessed and wanted to share it with everyone.