Class Photo

I'm working on the photos for class tomorrow night and finishing up a few other sessions. Not much time left for random photos so you get to wonder what on earth the subject is tomorrow night. I actually thought it would be a boring topic but I'm pretty pumped about it now.

You may recognize the photo behind the green box from another post here, I got it printed in an 11x14 and it's gorgeous.

Macro Lens

I would like a macro lens to play with but could not find one this weekend while shopping so I decided to make my own "poor man's macro lens". You can do this if you have a SLR Camera and a fixed lens. I took my 50mm fixed lens and put it on the camera backwards. I'm gonna need more practice but it worked. Oh what a dangerous thing I've found!!

Thumb sucker

Mallory got to spend the night with John and I while Lynn and Jesse went to his class reunion. She was a much better girl tonight than last time. She was lying on the floor giggling really loud when we talked with her. She took a break and we found her rolled over with her back to us sucking her thumb. She is not a thumb sucker but she was just a chewing on it, with of course her finger hooked over her nose. All 3 of my kids sucked their thumbs until they got braces or headgear, it's so cute!!

Craft Day

The girls had craft day at the house today. My sisters and I used to get together the day after Thanksgiving every year and have craft day with the girls {and poor Adam when he wasn't old enough to hunt}. This year the girls decided they wanted to start their own craft day with Elly, Garrett and Mallory, it was a lot of fun and Elly had the best time creating gifts that she will be able to give to others.

Elly loves to read so when she wasn't crafting she was reading so I asked her to read to the little ones to keep them occupied while we cleaned up. She did get the whole book read to them but I'm not sure they paid too much attention. She just kept reading no matter what they did, someday they will sit and listen to her.

Happy Thanksgiving

Having the family together makes holidays the best. I am very thankful for the time they spend with us. Garrett is starting to talk, he says "Hi Baby" to Mallory, he says "Momma, Daddy, Kitty and I swear he said Grandma" Really he did, it might have been when it was only him and I in the kitchen but I heard it!!

He really likes to say "Hi Baby" to Mally, he says it like every 10 minutes and gets right in her face. Here is the little man with his favorite thing {his blankey}

Be Thankful

when blogger is working..... The photo has nothing to do with anything besides me playing with the settings.

Team Jacob... give me some skin baby!!

I started to read the 2nd book of the Twilight series "New Moon" on my trip to Mexico, I am only about 1/2 way through it since I listened to my i-pod while in the air and only read during the "no electronic device" times. I loved the book and couldn't wait for them to chime in with their "turn off all electronic devices for the remainder of the flight" then I got home and have only finished 1 chapter.... I am not a reader, make me sit in one spot and read a book... won't happen. So I did what anyone else would have done....

I went to the movie. All the entertainment shows and news stories are buzzing about the movie and if you are "Team Edward or Team Jacob". I am on Team Jacob, wow can that guy wear some great skin. Oh was I suppose to pick a guy for Bella and not me.... well I still think Jacob is the better choice for me.... I mean Bella. Those abs are engraved in my mind for at least a few days and then when I can't see them anymore I'll have to go again. Everyone is talking about this movie but no one has yet to spill the ending, I was shocked.... wanna know? Too bad I'm not spilling either. Here is a picture of me tonight trying to cram the last half of the book in 30 minutes. That lasted about 2.5 seconds.

More fog

Foggy morning

I'm loving the weather we are having right now. I know it's suppose to be cold and clear with a light dusting of snow for the hunters but this weather rocks. I was outside in my bare feet this morning when Adam came home for a shower and he yelled at me "don't you know it's winter get some shoes on!!"

Yesterday morning the fog was so thick by us you couldn't see to the end of the driveway, it made for some fantastic photos as I drove around the block a couple times. With this thick fog the hunters were all in their shacks with long faces and I was the only one "shooting". :)

Family Peek

You have to love a young family with small children who have lots of energy. It's a great feeling to capture the time of their lives in a photo that they can hang on their wall to look back on in 15-20 years and wonder where the time went. I was that mom but I didn't have a family picture taken until Adam was about 5, Shannon 10 and Lynn 12. That picture will remain framed and displayed somewhere in my house forever. It's moments like this that we need to freeze so we can have them with us forever.

Meeting this family I can tell that "J" and "A" are loving being parents to the sweet "S" and "I". Today was suppose to be warm and a perfect day for pics.... it was damp and chilling, poor "S" he kept saying "I'm cold" and little "I" her teeth were chattering by the time we were done. Despite the cold they did super.

I like to capture the candid moments, they mean so much more than the posed shots. This one melts my heart.

I also tried it in Sepia to add a little more drama..... love it

Nature at its best

Sometimes when you snap a photo you can tell "it's the one".... it's the one for what.... I'm not sure but "it's the one". I took a drive to the hunting shack and have driven by this woods a million times noticing the beauty that I see in it. This morning (Saturday) I happen to have my camera with me so I snap the moment so I can analyze it later to understand why I think this spot is so eye appealing to me.

Maybe it's the warm colors on the bottom of the photo and then gradually turns to the cool colors. Maybe it's the white birch positioned perfectly in the center of the photo. Maybe it's the fog preventing you from seeing to far into the woods. Maybe it's the hazy day bringing out the colors in everything. Maybe it's the textures. I'm still not sure what draws me to it but I know I love it and I think it needs to be printed on canvas {huge}.

:) News

Have you been wondering what all the smiley faces have been for in the last 2 posts? I've been holding out news from you guys, only a short time, don't be mad. For those of you that talk to me know that I have not been happy in my job since January 7th, 2009. Sad when I can remember the exact date. Well today I gave my 2 week notice, I am quitting. YEAH!!!!

I have another job and have only been working on this since Saturday. I don't have to move, I don't have to drive, I can like my job again, I'll be happy again, I'll feel like going to work. I need to work (I found that out this summer) and be appreciated for what I do and I have had that for the last 25 years but this last year has had it's challenges, I've worked through them but certainly not what I'm used to.

My last day is December 4th, I'm sure there will be lots of tears, there already was today. The anxiety that I had when I turned in my resignation paper was unbelievable, but it was fabulous!!!! I have been smiling since Monday and people were starting to wonder why, so I'm glad the process went fast. My co-workers and customer have shared numerous phone calls, e-mails and hugs with me, when they heard the news. They all do not want me to leave but understand and are happy for me, one coworker has already went as far as calling their friend at the new job place and telling them how rotten I am and how they should retract that offer. I feel so bad for leaving them behind and have had an extremely hard time making the decision just because of that reason. I am good at what I do and hopefully the ones who didn't appreciate it will realize that when I'm gone. For those that did appreciate me will become stronger.

I can't wait to start my new adventure.

Love that Commercial

I love the American Express Commercial that shows all the smiley faces that are naturally placed items. I decided to go on a smiley face hunt in my house. It started out rough and I thought my search was going to come up short but I actually found 11 faces in my house, some are a stretch but the left side of my brain (creative thinking) can see them.

CHALLENGE - Go hunting for faces in your house or outside. It was actually quite fun and if you need a reason to smile looking at them will help you out.

:) Photoshop Tuesday

Didn't do much to the photo for tonight, I thought it was fine just the way that it was.

Brown everywhere

Hard to believe we are in the middle of November already. We went to the woods yesterday and I couldn't find anything interesting to photograph. I think this is the time of year that I'm looking for fun color because everything around us is brown.

Another peek

This couple was so much fun I had to share another. I seriously have a few more things to do in front of their's so I must stay focused but with eyes like this.... I can't help myself.

Fun couple on a cloudy day

Today I took pictures of "R" and "E". They were so fun and willing to do all the crazy stuff I asked them to do. The day was cloudy but no rain, perfect for photos and perfect the photos are.... here is a sneak peek and let's just say these aren't my favorites.

First let's check out the ring

Then how about something a little different.

Here is the photo that is in the one above. Such a cute couple.


Their wedding is pink and green so how about a pink and green house to take pictures in front of, with a fun pink lamp post.


Thank you R and E for spending your time with me today, I had a blast and hope you did to.

A visit to The Wall That Heals

Leave the porch light on and on and on and on

I know the winter darkness has just started but I am already tired of it. I leave for work in the dark and I come home in the dark. I guess I'm gonna have to suck it up and get used to it or it will be a long winter, until then we'll leave the porch light on for ya.

Best Friends

While growing up these two were terrible, they picked on each other until someone was crying. The couldn't stand to talk or touch each other, they fought all the time. Until one thing happened.... their oldest sister moved 3,000 miles away and left them at home with only each other. Now you can't separate them. On Saturday Joanne said to me "get a picture of your kids" so I look up and there is Adam sitting on Shannon's lap as she was talking to her company. She didn't even bat an eyelash that he was sitting there snuggling up to her and that explains how close they are now.

Chasing Ducks

In class tonight I told the gals and guy about my duck chasing while I practiced with my shutter speeds and how I didn't bring any examples since they weren't what I would consider "good enough" to show anyone. You are your worst critic and I certainly am living proof of that. So tonight I decided to post one of the photos so the class, and the rest of you, could see how the slow shutter speed captured the movement of the ducks wings and splashing water.

I know many of you wanted to see photos of "me" chasing the ducks in my high heels while eating my sausage that I brought for lunch, listening to my i-pod, and screaming "not so fast", while trying not to trip since my camera was up in front of my face the whole time so I could save a second or two when the ducks finally splashed in the water..... got that visual yet? If not drive by the river between noon and 1, and someday you may be able to catch me practicing again.

As you can see SOOC this is a photo I would be pleased with. My eyes have no interest in this photo because they don't know where to look. The first place my eyes go to is the rocks....should I look at the rocks, or maybe the splashing duck or the ducks swimming away. Nothing about this photo appeals to me so that is why I chose to not show the class, it wasn't "good enough".

But since today is Photoshop Tuesday I opened the photo back up tonight and decided I was going to do something with it to change my mind. First get rid of those rocks. Then create a mood.... make the colors pop. And the last thing was to create darker edges and I love it. Now my eyes start at the splashing duck and move to the duck on the right and circle right around to the duck at the top and then last to the duck on the far left, forcing my eyes to view the entire photo in a circular motion with a pleasing effect.

So class..... go chase some ducks

Beautiful Day & The Ahhhh Haaaaaa Moment

Took my camera out at lunchtime to work on my homework for class tomorrow night. This photo has nothing to do with the subject we are learning in week 2 (shutter speed) but it is great for week 1 (aperture) and I liked it. Putting together the assignment and discussion has forced me to get "it".... I got the "ahhh haaa" moment yesterday as I was working on the class information. I have read tons of information about ISO, aperture and shutter speed and how they work together but struggle to fully understand it. I know "it" enough to get by but getting "it" hasn't happened for me until now. I've read blogs and forums about people getting the "ahhhh haaa" moment and was hoping some day that it would happen to me. It will take me some practice but getting "it" feels good. Now my lunches may be spent at the river chasing geese and ducks into the water trying to freeze their splash!! :)

Mallory's first night

at Grandma and Grandpa's without Mommy and Daddy. She was such a good little girl, she played on the floor with her toes, she sat in Grandpa's arms, she ate her cereal, she took her little nap but then it was time for a bottle. She was not about to drink that bottle, she got mad at me and screamed. She forced her lips tightly shut and refused me to feed her anything except her nuke. I knew she wasn't starving since she ate her cereal so we just sat and snuggled. She pouted and sniffled for about an hour as she layed in my arms. She wouldn't look at her toys she wouldn't raise her arms, she was in a full pout but was comfortable in Grandma's arms enough to not cry. Elly was there and she was laying her head on my lap so Mally grabbed her hair and hung on tight, El laughed and let her have it. When Mommy and Daddy came to get Mally she had big ole' smiles for them, she got active again but wouldn't let mommy feed her that darn ole' bottle either. My eyes welled up with tears as I watched the love unfold. Someday Mally will want to come spend the night at Grandma's just as much as Elly does, until then I'll wait because Mommy is the most important thing Mally has right now and Mally is the most important thing Mommy and Daddy have too.

Birthday Party

Shan had Garrett's birthday party today. It was a beautiful day and Garrett had a wonderful time with all his new toys, clothes and especially his 2 new toothbrushes. He is getting to be such a cute little boy, he is no longer a baby. Shan had a red sweater on him with little trains.... it was Adam's sweater that he wore for his 2nd birthday. Garrett isn't a big kid, Adam was a little runt but no matter what it made me cry just a little.

Upside Down

It's been so long since I posted it's feeling kinda weird. My trip to Mexico was.... well let's just say "interesting". I would love to be able to take my camera with me and have the driver stop a dozen or a million times so I could show you all what I see, but that ain't gonna happen so let's try this. At my niece Shawna and Mike's wedding I had my fancy film camera and was so "into" taking pictures that I took tons of them during the ceremony, after, dinner.... and then the moment happened. I realized I never put film in the camera!! I get teased to this day when we talk about Shawna's wedding everyone tips their heads up, closes their eyes and acts like Stevie Wonder while looking at my pictures.... yeah they aren't very nice :) Ooppps sorry a little ramble there. Okay back to Mexico and a few of the highlights.

As we drive in the baby goats graze under the bridge.... I see them on the menu's, and actually had a guy eat one while I sat across from him.... it came to the table with a broken leg, plopped onto on table and the Mexican man smiled at me. I turned white and shrank in my chair.

The streets are hard mud with houses on top of houses. If someone builds a house you can build next to it and only have to build 3 walls. Every alley I look down there is a skinny dog laying on the road, along with so much trash you couldn't even imagine picking it all up. People walking no matter what time it is, people cooking on the street corners no matter what time it is. The kids are always walking to or from school and those kids are all in uniforms and look so cute and snazzy. If it rains the hard mud becomes deep puddles of what looks like raw sewage and they walk right through it.

We no longer have our liaison escorting us into Mexico so we have to do things that I'm not used to doing like eat in their cafes. I usually don't eat all day long because I am so picky.... yep I bet you didn't know that about me!! But I would have offended them had I not eaten so I had to take a plate and join them. Let's just say again "Interesting" I did eat some but I know how to shuffle food around on my plate and look like I'm eating but not really.

The girls and guys that work in the factories have awesome shoes.... I love their shoes!! They are dressed to the hilt, full make-up and look so cute. Me on the other hand, sticks out like a sore thumb with my blonde hair and white skin. They all turn and look at me with smiles, I can't stray to far away from my escort or they all know. I talk to them everyday on the phones and have gotten to know many of them very well, one guy wanted me to stay for 2 weeks to help him out.... I'd be really skinny if that would happen :)

I don't mind visiting them but really like coming home. It was a very long week with early mornings and late nights but I'm back, even if things are a little upside down yet, but with this little man showing me his new trick makes everything all better.

Garrett is One on November One

As Elly and I sat on the curb waiting for the parade to start we talk

Me - "Elly I am so lucky"
Elly - "Why"
Me - "I get to see you three days in a row, that's the most days I have seen you in a long time"
Elly - "Is not Grandma, you used to see me everyday when I lived with you"
Me - "Wanna live with me again?"
Elly - "Yes, but can you tell mom?"
Me - "I think Mommy and Daddy might miss you so you better live with them"
Elly - "Yeah but I can come spend the whole weekend with you"

Garrett isn't quite as much a Grandma's boy as Elly is. He's more of a Momma and Grandpa's boy. He loves his blankie and if he's tired he will snuggle, even with Grandma. Happy 1st Birthday little Garrett Man.

See you all on Thursday