Rebecca Bridges Photography

PERSONALIZED

2011-09-04T04:49:00.001-07:00

Oh sweet weekend. Three days to be exact. Too bad it's already almost over. Still, I am awake so incredibly early in the morning. At least I can get some shopping done online, in peace. Any more, it's just easier than going to the actual store. I still wish someone would set a site up for ordering groceries though! I did find a cute little site that let's you create your own personalized gifts. I am thinking there are a few items I would love to get for baby Izzy this Christmas!! You can just visit personal creations if you like this kind of stuff too. I think it's a lot of fun for the kids - and I wish I would have thought about it before I tried to write their names on a hundred pencils for school!

SO MUCH TO DO

2011-08-31T03:27:00.000-07:00

"Grandmas' Bird Bath"

My phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Everyone wants pictures taken. I have a photo shoot lined up for Saturday, and about 4 more I need to make time for. Not to mention I need to take pictures for my own little Grandbaby! She is three months old today, and we need to stuff her in my little baby dress and get some pictures. I just hope the dress will hold up - it's almost 40 years old, so it has seen better days.
This work week will at least bring a 3 day weekend when it's over. I am looking forward to that! The days seem to just run together with everyone so busy, and I need a little break. Of course the man would love to shop for a newer vehicle for me, and look at truck rims for his. What is it with boys and their stupid tires anyways?? Oh well.
The photo up there is one I took while we were visiting my Gramma in Tennessee. I loved her little bird bath, and the girls had gone around picking little flowers - then tossed them in there so the birdies would have "decorations". LOL! So sweet those girlies!

HUMMINGBIRD MOTH

2011-08-30T03:25:00.000-07:00

I like to sit outside early in the mornings and watch the sun come up. The other day, I was sipping my coffee when this little guy showed up to have a bite to eat. I believe he is what they call a hummingbird moth - huge for a moth for sure! He hovers over the flowers, and has a really long tongue thingy that he uses, like a beak, to get at the flower nectar. It was so neat to watch!

If you make the picture full size, you can see the motion of his wings. He must have stayed around for a good thirty minutes before moving along, but I was grateful he came. I have thought about entering a photo of him in the fair, but I honestly don't think I will have time to put anything in this year. Life has gotten so incredibly busy, and I haven't had the time to sort through photos and decide if this year has given me anything good enough to really bother with. It seems like work kind of sucks up most of my time - though I am super happy about having a real job. It just doesn't leave much time in the day for anything else. The only thing I really don't like about working - is the sitting on my butt too much. I'm going to have to look for the best diet pills on the market if I am going to spend the rest of my life sitting down! So far my pants still fit, but I was used to running around all day, and the transition has been a little rough on the ol' diet!! Or maybe I'll be like my little friend up there - just eat flowers!!

I AM SIGNMAKER....

2011-08-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

So, this is my new job title! I am a sign maker - and I love it!! I didn't make the ones up here, but I took these photos of this particular store when I first started so I would know what in the world I was doing. I work for the brand of beer on the sign. :)
I actually AM the graphics department at my company, so most of the signage and things that you would see inside the stores would be something I made. In our area anyways. Sometimes it can get pretty hectic, and it sure has made the summer go by quickly. I think I have finally gotten used to the whole 40 hours a week thing, but it has taken some adjusting for sure. I don't have a lot of time for myself anymore, thus the reason I am up at 4 in the morning. But I sure do LOVE that paycheck!! LOL! As a matter of fact - I will be speaking with an Energy subwoofer speaker seller this weekend, so I can make my living room my own personal concert station! LOL! I was able to buy my kids school supplies and school clothes without worry, and the bills are all caught up. And yes - we were able to go on vacation. Much better than the struggle that was my life before. I am still picking up little freelance jobs here and there, but now I can say no if I need to. I like that option. And I get paid to color! Yes!!

RODEO!!

2011-07-22T03:40:00.001-07:00

I went with my family to the rodeo last night! I have been to a very small one before, but this one I can call my first "real" rodeo!! It was so much fun, and I had the absolute best seats in the house thanks to my job!! My employer gave my tickets for box seats, so we sat right above the chutes where the cowboys come out! My kids were in awe the whole time. I was wondering how these boys can get up off the ground when they fall down - OUCH!! I think I took a bazillion photos too. Cowboys - are hot! LOL!

BABYSITTING......

2011-07-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Oh my. So here I am, babysitting my granddaughter. Holy shite. It's 116 degrees outside and they dress her in black. Cute and all, but no. First things first - stripped to the diaper. Fed, changed and burped. Still fussy. Tired, and fussy. I don't remember my babies ever being this fussy. Maybe nature does that to us mommies so we will still like babies when ours grow up. I dunno. Swing - yes - they brought the swing. Oh thank you jesusss. She's asleep. Maybe now I can go pee...... I'm not sure how I am gonna get supper cooked though. I wanted to grill so I didn't have to heat up the house. At this point I think everyone is shoving blocks of ice in the outdoor fireplaces and gathering around them to stay cool. Or literally crawling into the freezer. Oh yeah, I have the big one in the garage. I could take out all the shelves and sit in there a spell. But I can't. I'm babysitting....... Jeebus it's hot......

FISHING DERBY

2011-07-16T05:59:00.000-07:00

Fireworks were not the only fun we had over the Fourth Of July Holiday this year! The kids took part in a fishing derby out at one of our favorite little lakes. Riley actually got quite a few bites, but neither one of them caught anything this time. It was a lot of fun watching them though - I remember fishing with my Daddy when I was a little girl - and it was the best..... I hope my kids remember these times as well.
I have to make a trip out to the stores after a bit - hopefully before the horrific heat sets in - I am thinking it's a good day to bake a cake in the car. I bet it will be done before I get out of the grocery store it's so hot here! I found a bunch of graduation stuff on clearance the other day, and I am going to hoard some of it in the hopes that I will be able to use it some day. Plus I have some coupons I have been dying to use up before they expire. Free stuff is always good. Stay out of the heat if you can, and have a great weekend!!

NO TIME FOR ME

2011-07-13T03:33:00.001-07:00

Here's a photo of the start of our fireworks show from the fourth.... I still have had absolutely no time to do any editing of the pictures. As a matter of fact, now I need to figure out how to use photos like these in CorelDraw. What I need to be able to do is blow up a digital photo I have taken with my camera, up to the size of a billboard. I don't know for sure if this is where using RAW images comes into play, or keeping it in JPEG mode will work as well. I don't know if I even have enough memory on this old desktop to work with the RAW anymore. What I really need to do is take a course, but there aren't any being offered at the college here. Gah!!
So it's another busy day for me at work today, gotta do some grocery shopping, pay some bills and buy adapexin for a little experiment I am going to try. I wish I knew how to fit everything I need to get done into one day, but so far I am not having a whole lot of luck!!

TO FIND THE TIME.....

2011-07-06T03:40:00.000-07:00

My garden - is all but dead. The house is a disaster from the weekend still. I forgot to mail the rent..... There's just so much to do and not enough time to do it all. I did manage to get out and get some photo time in, and now I need to find the time to upload all the fireworks shots I got! Thankfully the work week is short by a day, as there is much to do this coming weekend as well. Rye has a birthday party to go to, and I have no time to go shopping for that. We scanned the web together and found a spot to make personal birthday gifts at Personal Creations. This will be cute, and a time saver for me. The little birthday girl is having a baking party (She loves cupcakes as much as Rye does apparently) so we will be able to customize the perfect little gift - and have it delivered. I wish everything were so easy - like please ship me my toilet paper and laundry soap too! Hopefully this week I can find the time to get some fireworks shots up here - I got some really nice ones this year, and even my kids managed to get some very cool and creative ones as well! Riley used her DSi to snap a few, and they were very artsy!! I hope everyone has a great, shortened week!!

NAUGHTY SUUUSHIIIIII.....

2011-06-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

I went out for a sushi supper.

This is what I got......

CLOUD WATCHING

2011-06-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the clouds around here over the course of the last week or so. It has been really neat to see all the different patterns, and out of all of it, we only had one day of rain!

This one is soooo weird - how the sky just seems to have a straight line right down the middle! I don't know what causes that, but it sure was neat!

Dead center of this photo, the clouds were rotating! Kinda cool, but also time to leave!

This batch of clouds turned severe, after it passed us of course!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY YA OL' GRAMPA!!

2011-06-19T04:59:00.000-07:00

Awwwwwww, what a softy! The kids are up early this morning, making Daddy some cards for Father's Day. They are hoping to surprise him when he gets off work. That's the hard part about the 3rd shifters' life - you miss a lot. But I will help them with the special breakfast cooking, and later we will be going to Gramma's house for cake. I thought about having an organic fruit basket delivery made to his work from the kids, but then remembered that it's awful hard to stash anything without it being snagged by someone else. I mean it's one thing to offer to share, but quite another to have your goodies just go completely missing. But - it would be a really nice gift for my step-dad. He's watching his health more closely these days since his heart surgery, and chocolate would probably not be the best gift anymore! We have a busy day ahead, and an even busier week! Hope everyone has a great day!!

LOVE THE RAIN!!

2011-06-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

It sure has taken some getting used to, this 40 hour work week thing. I have been really tired lately, no so much from the work itself, just from trying to fit everything I need to into my day. Tonight after supper, we went for a drive towards a nice wall cloud, just to have a peek at it. Before too long though, it was time to go, and it seems to have followed us home. To the right of that tree line, we saw some serious rotation going on, and that was so neat, but also our signal to get back on the road.
Now that we are back, it's back to the supper dishes, back to the kids and all their wants and needs. My son wants an xbox wireless adapter now, - like right now - so he doesn't trip over all the cords. My daughter, wants everything that has been on tv in the last twenty minutes, and I want my hair colored! I don't get a paycheck however, until next Friday. Ughh.... It will be a tight week for sure, but we've made do with less. I'm just glad that things are finally starting to look a little brighter in the money department. Tired or not, it will be well worth it.

Well, here comes the hail again!

Oooh. Big Hail!!! Bye Bye!!!

IZZY IZBOURNE

2011-06-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Love Love Love

I can't believe I am finally a Gramma! Let me tell you - there is nothing like it in the world! I am completely smitten by this little tiny human, and every single day, I think she gets even more beautiful....

I am a bit tired, but I think my poor daughter is just exhausted. I am so proud of her though - she's just amazing. I don't think she's had more than a couple hours of sleep since she's been home from the hospital. I would love to talk her into coming over to Gramma's house to get a nap, but for now I think she is content just trying to figure things all out in her own home. I remember those days....

Just love. It's oozing from my soul!

GOOD GRIEF ALREADY

2011-05-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Still no baby. I have cleaned the house, gotten the lawn mowed, done all the laundry, and finished printing postcards for work. I have done everything I can think of to keep my mind occupied. I have called Halie a hundred forty two times, and still nothing. I really wish she would go into labor already and give me my grandbaby. Gawwww!! I don't think it was this bad waiting on my own children to arrive. Or maybe it was - and I just can't remember - thus the reason I have three kids instead of just one. It looks like rain is coming again today, but it's hard to tell. It's been clouding up like this for a few days in a row now, but it hasn't produced anything. Kinda like Halie. Contractions that produce - NOTHING! LOL!

Maybe, she will get the baby for HER birthday! She turns 20 on Monday.
Keep your fingers crossed!!

STILL NO BABY BUT HERE'S A SENIOR

2011-05-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

Since we are still waiting for the Grandbaby to arrive, I suppose we will just have to make do with some senior pics instead of the newborn pics! LOL! We have been trying everything we can think of to get this baby to come out, but it has been exhausting for this Gramma-to-be! Right now I am trying to figure out how to get rid of dark circles under my eyes!! I don't know how many more nights in a row I can go without much sleep. Yesterday we went walking in the park, then we came home and I made the daughter a special salad. I even used Balsamic Vinegar straight from Italy in the salad dressing. Then for a drink it was the traditional Raspberry Tea. But alas. Here we are on Friday morning - and still no labor. She did go to the doctor yesterday, and she has been scheduled for inducement on Tuesday. Still - I hope this child comes into the world on her own!!

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD STORM DAY!

2011-05-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well..... the Weather Channel gives us a 7 out of 10 (Or 70% Chance) of a tornado in our area today. The area in the middle, or first inside circle, is where I live. There is a chance for not only tornadoes, but large hail as well, as indicated by the red circle. Hmmmm. It feels fairly cool outside right now, but the air is that sticky kinds of air that makes your skin crawl just a little. We shall see what unfolds I suppose. The tales around my town say that a tornado will never touch down inside the city limits, as we live in a "gully" of sorts. All my life, I have never seen one here. I have watched the radar as storms got close, then "POOF" - they fall apart - then come back together once they have gotten East of us.... I do remember a few times in my life where I was actually pretty scared, but mostly I was a young child, and had no way of knowing that which I know now. But - I don't necessarily believe that we will never be affected. I think it's only a matter of time......

So the day brings me out to harvest a few heads of broccoli from my garden for supper tonight. I'll be keeping a close eye on the sky, and I must go to work and try to talk my boss into at least looking at this inetsoft business intelligence software. The kids are almost done with school for the summer, with only part of the next week to go. Needless to say they are quite restless at this point. I also need to finish the baby blanket I started back when I first found out I was going to become a gramma. So much to do, so little time!

PHOTO SHOOT - SENIOR

2011-05-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

I had some fun last week shooting this young mans' Senior photos. I think this one has to be my favorite, but that's because I love getting artsy fartsy with the photos instead of just leaving well enough alone. Probably why I don't do this for a living!

At this point in my days, I am trying to find just about anything to do to keep my mind and body occupied while waiting for my Grandbaby to arrive. Having the garden has been very enjoyable, and a whole lot of work. My muscles are sore and my bones are creaky, but boy is it starting to shape up out there. Of course from what I understand, the weather may turn quite nasty tomorrow, with high winds and even some hail. Please just don't destroy my garden!!

The insurance company finally decided to cover my computer, so I have been looking at new desktops. If you are really bored, and need something funny to occupy you, go to Ordinateurs de bureau and try to order an entire computer system in French! Hey - you might end up with a laptop instead of a desktop, but at least you had some fun in the process of it all!! (Knowing my luck, I will get a computer that only speaks French, and I will never know exactly how to use it!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!

2011-05-01T06:13:00.001-07:00

Good thing it's still early - I almost forgot!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!

There are some lilacs up there for youuuuuu!! If I could have found some that weren't in someones yard, I would have picked you a bouquet. But - I remember doing that once when I was little and you told me that was wrong and made me take the lady back her flowers and apologize!! Ohhh the good ol' days! LOL!

I'm sure she would love for me to tell the world how old she is today, but I'm gonna protect my fanny and just leave it at 29!! (Gosh that woman has been 29 for as long as I can remember!!)

I am so horrid about doing everything last minute, but I do have an excuse this time with all the gardening work I have been putting in. Now I need to get to town and find the perfect card, and do some quick looking around for some gift baskets she'll love. It's so hard to buy for my mom, because she never really says she "wants" anything. So we have to get creative here! Plus with Mother's Day coming up next weekend.... well good grief I have a lot to do!!

HAIR

2011-05-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little odd. Ok - maybe a lot odd. But I was standing in the shower the other day, just letting the hot water soothe my old aching muscles, and I noticed the hair that had ended up on the shower wall kinda looked like a pregnant lady. (All things seem to point to that these days...) So THEN I got to thinking that maybe I should do an odd photo collection of the hair art on my shower wall. Yeahh I know - but art is subjective right?

In other odd news.....

I spend a good deal of time reading online, looking at odd things, and I came across a bodybuilding video. This guy was huge, and well, I always think it's kind of gross they way they look.... but fascinating nonetheless... so anyhow he said something about animal cuts, and using it, and I was thinking he let a dog scratch him up or something but no - it's stuff they use so you can see all their muscles and veins and just eewww..... yeah. The internet is a very very odd place sometimes.....

TIME FOR FLOWERS!

2011-04-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

Oh my favorite time of year has arrived! The flowers are coming out for photographing! This one happens to be a photo I took last summer when the echinacea had bloomed. I played around with it until it became what I wanted it to be. I think it would be neat if it could be printed on some kind of wood. I missed most of the tulips this year, as everything was so busy around here, but I really can't wait for the iris to bloom!!

A while back I put my resume out there online, and the crazy things I have been offered just amaze me. I have recently gotten emails from companies promising management jobs working from home, only to find that they require all kinds of equipment that you must own, and you have to pay out of your own pocket for all the travel involved. The pay is far too minimal to justify the purchase of all that stuff. Some days I feel like I should just give up in ever finding a job in photography. Make art to make art, and forget it.....

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

"Down The Rabbit Hole"
By Rebecca Bridges
2011

Creativity was running high last night at our house! The annual egg dying festival at my kitchen table made for some pretty interesting art. Now I awaken to find that the Easter Bunny has stolen all of our precious eggs, and scattered them haphazardly all over the backyard!! He also left way too much chocolate laying around here, and I think the cat is in a boiled egg coma. (He's fine - just stinky....) How in the world the kids will want to eat a real breakfast, I have no idea. Now they want me to actually go outside and run around with them, but first I need a gallon of coffee and a million kinds of muscle stimulators to get me on my way. I am still one sore lady from all the gardening activities, the planting and mulching and lugging around of things and shoveling. Any of course, the hunting of the gopher that has already stolen my sweet banana pepper plant!! I'd like to throw him down a hole alright - preferably one with a snake in it!!

I hope everyone has a great Easter, celebrating with family in whatever way you do!

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

2011-04-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to see any tornadoes this day, but I did get to see the storm clouds that eventually got pretty nasty once they got further east of my area. Click on the photos to make them larger and have a look!

Yesterday was so incredibly windy here that I thought my roof might actually blow off!! A liquor store down the road from my place really did have part of their roof come tumbling down, and we had many power outages and other damage reported. Even a few downed live power lines. I'd like to say it was pretty exciting, but really it was just a bit scary!!

This morning I am off to photograph activities for our local newspaper. It should be a lot of fun, plus I get paid. Getting paid = is good!

MEETING THE STORMCHASERS!!

2011-04-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was sooo much fun!! I have adored these guys since the show "Stormchasers" first came on the air. Most people know that I have a love of storms myself, particularly the lightning and tornadoes, so when I finally got the chance to see the TIV in person - I was THERE!! I waited for three years to see the movie "Tornado Alley" that Sean Casey and his crew finally finished. It was excellent! I was sad that Sean wasn't there, but happy to meet driver Marcus Gutierrez and Meteorologist Brandon Ivey! They were two very nice and friendly young men, and totally answered all our questions, all while trying to sign a billion autographs. Thanks to both of you for coming to our little town!! The guys let us know that storm chasing in the TIV 2 will commence next week, and I am totally excited for another round of the TV series.

COOL WINDOW

2011-04-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

I took this photo a few weeks ago on our little trip to the zoo. They have all kinds of themed areas, and this one happened to be the "Australia" exhibit. The windows of this little building just took my breath away, so of course I had to photograph it. The kids had fun playing "shopkeeper" inside this building, which was set up to resemble an outback trading post. While they watched a video all about Australia, I found fascination in all the decor, right down to the cabinet knobs!! I love stuff like this, and find that all these unique little things can really make for some good artwork! I have always had a love for unusual glass bottles too, so this ended up being a perfect shot for me!

Today brings great excitement at my house, as we all prepare for my oldest daughters' baby shower. I still have to do some last minute shopping, and go pick up the cake of course. I'm so excited, and the day should be so much fun!! Many pictures to come!!

MOON ROCK

2011-04-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

I love this photo. It is of my daughter gazing at a real moon rock. I think the bigness of it all really got to her in that moment - realizing that that piece of stone actually came from the big bright moon! Of course we were viewing it at the space museum here in town. I wish I could remember feeling that "awe" in life, seeing something like that for the first time. I guess sometimes we all take too much for granted. The dirt, the trees and plants around us. Storms and sunny days. Remember what it felt like to go outside and just enjoy? Sometimes it really sucks to be a grown up and be so jaded.....

SOMETHING COOL

2011-03-30T04:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo I took at the old train station while we were in Van Buren, Arkansas. (The one we couldn't afford to ride on...) At first I thought it was an old typewriter, but looking more closely at it, I am guessing it is a really old counting machine. Maybe something that would have been used by an accountant or something. Anyhow, I thought it was pretty cool.

Today I have a couple of things to get accomplished, if I can manage all of it before the kids get home from school. First I need to get all my computer stuff down to the insurance company. I filed a claim and I am hoping that they do the right thing by me. I have a $5oo deductible, but I paid well over two grand for my computer when I bought it. They say they need to see my old one, but if they think I am just going to leave it there they are nuts. It won't even turn on, so I don't know what they expect to see.

Next I need to find a new brace for my baby girls' little knee. I found an aircast walking brace online, thinking it would be what we needed, but it needs to be just for her knee. I did find one there, but the price is just so high to pay out of pocket. I am thinking that maybe we need to get a prescription from the doc and see if the insurance will cover it. These over the counter ones are too big for her and really don't provide all that much support. We shall see. My poor little Rye.

After all that, I need to finish installing what software I have been able to dig up from the old computer. I found my photoshop, and thankfully my Canon software as well. I also got the external hard drive back from the repair guys, so I have to figure out how to navigate all that too.

On the upside, I have a freelance assignment for the 16th of April, and it will pay better that working all day at my normal job. So of course I accepted it and took the day off from the store. I also have a couple of portrait shoots waiting in the wings, so hopefully things will keep going up from here! Gah!

THE VACATION DOUGHNUT!!

2011-03-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Just a little snapshot photo from vacation I wanted to share! Check out the size of this doughnut! On our way out of town to come back home, the kids were hungry for some breakfast, so we stopped at a little family bakery in Van Buren, Arkansas to get some doughnuts. When I walked in, I saw this thing and HAD to get it!! That is the biggest glazed doughnut I have ever seen in my life!! It took up an entire box that would normally be used for a CAKE!! Talk about taking some lipozene before you eat!! LOL!! We put it in the cooler and took it home with us, and the kids had some super yummy doughnut holes for the drive. We still have a portion of this doughnut in the refrigerator because the kids could not eat it all. That's a first!!

SWIFT JUSTICE - HANGMAN STYLE

2011-03-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

Yay me! I figured out how to download our vacation pictures this morning! I still have to put a lot more programs into this laptop, but this will do for now I think! So - this photo is of the gallows at Fort Smith, Arkansas. I can remember how many men were hanged here, but "The Hanging Judge" Parker was responsible for all of them. One has to wonder if these poor souls were at least given a final meal and maybe even a padron cigar before their death. It was very interesting to see how this whole hanging thing worked, and kind of spooky to know we were standing on the spot where so many men, and even a couple of women were put to death. It seems so barbaric, but I guess justice was swift back in those days - even if the parties were not really even guilty of the charges. To think this was an event in town - gah! People all came out and bought tickets to watch!! Even little kids! Can you imagine if something like this went on in todays' society? I guess there might be a little less crime, that's for sure! Makes you wonder if we should go back to it!? Maybe then the criminals would think twice before doing such nasty things.....

I HAVE THESE PICTURES.....

2011-03-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

But I can't download them. I lost my disc for the little camera I use for snapshots, and my other computer (The now DEAD one...) had the software on it. I have some really great shots on it that I want to share, but how? I am at a total loss right now. All my itunes songs are gone except the ones I bought, so all those CD's I gave away - ohhhhhh lord. I thought I could bring them over from my ipod, but it won't let me do that either. I am having withdrawls from my what I once considered my normal life. It's so bad - I think I should get a little social security disability - because at this point it really is crippling my life all up. If I learned one lesson the really super duper hard way - it is to ALWAYS back up the computer. Back up the files the programs and for gawds sake save the program discs in a safe place. I have even lost my photoshop!!! Grrrrrrr.....

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!

2011-03-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

OHMYGOSH I am soooo excited!! The IMax film "Tornado Alley" is showing at our Kansas Cosmosphere - and I am going to go see it tonight!!! I have been following Sean and the TIV for a couple of years now, and I am completely fascinated by the work they have done. Living in tornado alley myself, the weather around here has always been something of interest to me, and I love love love going out to photograph it!!! A couple of years ago, I caught my first tornado on film, and I happened to be right behind the TIV crew when I did it. SOOOO exciting!! Of course I stayed wayyyyyyyy far away, while those guys drove right into the middle of it, and captured it on film!! I have been waiting for this movie for so long, and I can not wait to go see it!!

GOOD DAY FOR FISHIN'

2011-03-20T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhhhh MY GOSH what a BEAUTIFUL DAY!!! It is so nice and warm out right now! I think the weatherman said we should hit about 80 this afternoon! I wish I could go camping, but I have to work tomorrow, so the best I can do today is to get a little fishing in. Two more days and I will be free on spring break, and then it will be some fun days in store. Not to mention that severe weather season is on it's way, and I am almost ready! This year however, I plan to invest in some camera and cord covers, so I can stop worrying about the camera getting wet. Last year I was too scared to go out in a sprinkle even. I am hoping to catch some lightning shots that will rival anything I have ever photographed before! Wish me luck! (And no electrocutions in the process...)

ONE MORE WEEK

2011-03-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh...... One more week and it will be my turn for a nice vacation. No Disney trip or Cruises happening here - just a nice relaxing 5 days off work. More than likely I will be spending most of my time in the garden, putting in potatoes and onions, and getting the rest of the ground ready for planting as well. I really miss the garden during the winter - the lack of green things almost brings on depression.
The one little trip we might take is possibly to Arkansas to visit relatives. I need to find a good breakdown service before I leave, as I really don't know if my poor old car can make it all the way there and back or not. That's the one thing I hate about road trips - never knowing what's going to happen with the vehicle! My car is an 02', and has about 75,000 miles on it, so it's not under warranty. Who knows how much she has left in her? But, it's kind of important to get out there and visit before the baby is due. I don't think I will be going much of anywhere in a few more weeks!!

MORE BABY PICS

2011-02-26T04:29:00.000-08:00

Besides the first one I posted a few days ago - these two shots were my favorites from photographing the little baby girl! I really had to work on the top photo quite a bit, as the door and floor were showing, and made the picture more of a snapshot than a portrait. But again - I was working with what was available. I am actually very happy with them both, but on the top photo her little hands got way too much light from the door, and I can't fix that. I was hoping to get the end result to look like she was sitting on a cloud.
Lately it seems like I have been getting one call after the other for photos - and this is a good thing. But if it keeps up like this - I am going to have to figure out some document management solutions to keep my records straight - not to mention a little bit more equipment. What I really need the most is a good umbrella light, and a way to make a portable backdrop. I was thinking I could build something out of PVC pipe - a backdrop stand - and then make my own backdrops out of sheets or fabrics. Making a stand that is portable is the biggest issue, and I need one that can hold up to being taken apart and put back together a million times. Oh yeah - and won't fall over!! My mom suggested using Velcro tabs to keep the sheets in place, and I figured that if I can just paint some sheets up with wall magic - I could really make some cool ones. I have thought about just using green screen, but it has to be really precise, and it is still pretty expensive to purchase an entire setup. So for now.....

PARDON THE INTERUPTION....

2011-02-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

.....but some people just really make me mad. Mad mad mad. My friend tried to come to work, even though she wasn't feeling well, and was promptly told by another co-worker that she was faking it. Hellloooo?? No she's not - I saw her last night and she's sick for snots sake! This isn't even right. I should have told her to tell him to shut his pie hole and ask him if he was suffering from extenze side effects. Grrr..... So now our work just may have a very good worker quitting from this incident! And I don't blame her. No one should have to put up with this kind of junk. How rude....

End Rant

PHOTO SHOOT WITH BABY

2011-02-24T02:19:00.000-08:00

To say this was fun - is an understatement! This little girl completely stole my heart the moment I met her - and she was such a HAPPY little creature!! I was a little worried at first, because I went to the Gramma's house, and I don't have any fancy equipment or lights. All I have to use is the camera, a flash with a cord, and whatever light is available on the inside of the house. No traveling backgrounds either. I actually ended up getting more than a few really nice portraits though. We put her by the front door where the light was coming in, and it worked out great! I am curious as to what other people use for this when they go out on location shoots.
I am having another sleepless night as you can probably tell. It's becoming an issue, and might require some help soon. L Dopa is supposed to help you sleep, but I dunno. Right now all I can hear is thunder - yes thunder - in February - and it makes me really long for storm season. Soon enough it will be time for chasing the lightning, and I can not wait!!

CUTENESS!!

2011-02-23T04:12:00.000-08:00

Another cutie pie from the photo shoot I did this weekend! So much fun! This little girly was so easy to get a smile from - what a great job she did! I still have a ton of work to do getting this families photos ready to present, but I think the momma is going to be pretty happy.
Today I have another photo shoot going on, this time with a 6 month old little baby girl. It has been a very long time since I photographed a baby, so hopefully she is easygoing and good for a smile or two! We will be working indoors this time, and my lack of decent lighting equipment worries me a bit. I am hoping for a giant window upon my arrival!
Lately it seems like every day off from my regular job I get - someone calls to book a session. Not that I am complaining. It's great for my portfolio, and I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to provide a service like this at a price people can actually afford. I think people will always want/need to have photographs taken, but right now the way the economy is - it's hard to justify spending $500 or more on them.
The rest of my day will be spent cleaning house - I'm afraid it's a complete disaster again. I have a force factor review to read as well, and a bit of coupon shopping to get done if I have the time before the kids get out of school. Life is certainly getting busy, and one of these days I would love nothing more than to take a nap!! For now though - I am off and running!!

A FUN PHOTO SHOOT

2011-02-20T06:29:00.000-08:00

I had such a great time yesterday with one of my girlfriends and her family!! This is one of the portraits of her that I took, that I of course had to play with a little bit this morning. She has the most gorgeous blue eyes don't you think!? She and her husband have six children, so I thought it would be pretty hectic, but surprisingly, it went pretty smoothly. They even brought along another little one, who is bestest friends with one of their daughters. So cute - all of them. I have a ton of work to do yet, but I will upload some more of this session when I have more done.
The rest of the weekend I plan on reading up on some hydroxycut reviews - another girlfriend of mine lost a ton of weight on it, but I of course have to see if it's right for me. THEN this afternoon is the big race (We miss you Dale....) and I will be glued to my TV at that point! I hope everyone is having an awesome weekend!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

2011-02-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

I am not really a big fan of Valentine's Day. It seems to be just another day that we have to buy presents. I think "they" put it here in February because a lot of people get their tax return money around this time, so what a better way to spend it right?
I don't want flowers. They just die anyways. I don't want chocolates. I am diabetic. I don't want jewelry. What a colossal waste of money. What do I want? I want one of these discount laptop computers! Now there is something useful! Or a gift certificate to have my hair done - that would be awesome. Yeah.
My kids have grown up thinking that this day is for them, so they expect stuff. I will get them their candies, but this year - I am making their cards myself, and that is going to be that. No presents, but definitely spaghetti for supper. Heehee!!!

HERE WE GO AGAIN.....

2011-02-09T05:47:00.001-08:00

About a foot of snow has fallen here this time. It's kind of pretty, but mostly a huge PITA!! Apparently my children hooked up the water hose during the heat wave we had a few weeks ago, and I didn't realize it. Now it's going to take a miracle to get it thawed out before it bursts.
All the schools around here are closed again today, which is good because we all still have the flu. Me and Rye seem to be getting a little better, but Shane Michael is still fighting a fever. At least they aren't missing another day of school for it! But it sucks they can't go out and play in the snow. The temps are sub-zero again anyways, at least for now. Supposedly this weekend it is going to warm up and melt all this away. I just want to plant my peas before it's too late!!
I guess today will see me working from home again. I need to update the store's website, and look for pci compliant hosting as well. If anyone out there wants to come and help me clean house - I would be more than willing to make some coffee!! Lol!

WINTERY NOT-SO-WONDEROUS-LAND

2011-02-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

HOlY CanOly it is COLD out there!!! These are some photos of my completely frozen back door! Love the patterns the ice and snow has made on it.... The cat was fascinated by it too! I have been up and down all night long, trying to make sure our water pipes don't freeze up on us! The wind chills here have been -20 and even below, with super strong winds to boot! That certainly is a shocker, considering we just had a couple of 70 degree days in a row right before this! The news said we got only about 5 inches of snow in my town, but the drifts of snow are just incredible in some places!! It's so white and bright out there right now that you better have on your Costa Del Mar Triple Tail sunglasses or you will be blinded!! LOL! I have not been very brave, and actually didn't even leave the house yesterday. My boss called and told me to stay home. Now again today, the kids are out of school, so I am not sure what I will do about work. My heart goes out to all the folks that have it a hundred times worse than we do. I can't even complain about the snow here when I see how bad it is elsewhere on the news! Just WOW!!!
I know I should get out there and shovel the sidewalk and such, but I don't know if I have it in me!! I feel sorry for the mail people - gah! Truly - they can stay home - my bills can wait till the weather warms up! :P

FUN AT WORK!!

2011-01-31T03:36:00.000-08:00

I truly love it when my job collides with my love of creating!! We decided to put together a little spectacle for our work website - and this is what we ended up with! My boss and co-worker just so happen to have their favorite teams playing in the Superbowl this year - so it really makes for some fun happening at work! They decked out in all their "gear" and we set up a few shots. Too much FUN!! We are putting together some product specials to go with all the mayhem, and I will be updating the website with more photos and such until the big game. (Makes me wish I had a laptop so I could actually do it on paid time instead of my own though...) Oh well - it is a lot of fun, and I did finally get a raise, so it kind of takes the sting out of doing all that work on my own time. I almost can't wait to go to work!!!

LIGHTS IN THE DARK

2011-01-19T03:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was thinking more about how very little I know about the different types of photography lighting - studio wise and such. It also got me to thinking about how much I love taking pictures of lights that exist in the dark. Like lighting, fireworks, and the moon, and even the Christmas tree. Any light that pops its' head out from the shadows is something I find very interesting. The photo above is actually just my DSL modem, but I find it to be pretty cool looking! Maybe I am a backwards photographer, loving the dark more than the light, and loving the light more when it comes with a nice black background....
The shadows are my favorite because they can cover up a multitude of sins. Who says it has to be the right light? What about the right shadow? The shadows can make fat look thinner, can cover up wrinkles that even the worlds best anti wrinkle cream couldn't touch, and can totally make a human portrait simply amazing. So I guess that creates an argument in my brain. Is it the light - or the dark - that makes a good piece?

HAZY SHADE OF WINTER

2011-01-18T03:45:00.000-08:00

This has to be one of my all time favorite winter photos I have ever taken. I don't care for the glaring white at the middle left, but I do love the rest. I have driven by that stream many many times since then, and have never seen any ducks swimming in it since.
Lately the weather has just been so cold and nasty here, that I am honestly afraid to take my camera outside. I fear condensation. A lot. I argue with myself that I bought this camera for a reason - to take pictures - but it's like my baby. I don't want it to get hurt. But, that means it is sitting here in the bag, doing nothing. If I had unlimited amounts of money to spend on repairs and replacements, I suppose I would just throw caution to the wind and go on a nice winter adventure. I don't though, and I am so not brave. I'm almost content, just staying inside, reading online about the best fat burners, looking at Tupperware, and shopping for the best deals at the grocery store for the week. Kinda sad really. I guess that's why most of the work I do is in the spring - it's just so much nicer out, and things are so much prettier. Right now, everything just looks so dull and Grey and dismal. I often wonder how other people can make the winter look so pretty and inviting. Not me, not for the most part, and definitely not outside!!

BLOWN AWAY

2011-01-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

I posted my resume onto Monster last week. Of course I have been searching through the job listings as well, and I am blown away by some of the requirements for jobs pertaining to my field. I took studio classes in college, but apparently - not enough of them. Just to do jewelry photography, meaning setting up shots of jewelry and taking pictures of it, you have to know all kinds of crazy stuff about lighting. Dome lighting, umbrella lighting, pendant lighting - have I forgotten any?? Lighting I can't even remember the names of, much less studied at school!! To me it seems pretty simple - take the jewelry and make it look good. I am such a technical retard, and when I do set up shots of things, I just shoot what feels good, what looks good to me. I have to say I don't really like all the artificial stuff. I would much rather use the light that is already coming from the sky than anything else.
So I am a bit discouraged about ever finding anything job wise here. I really think I should get happy about only ever selling prints and a few portraits here and there, and settle in on being someone's secretary. Yeah.

STILL THERE!

2011-01-14T03:48:00.000-08:00

My daughter had another prenatal Dr. appointment the other day! (My grand baby is doing great!) Years ago, her OB doctor was also my doctor who took care of me during my hysterectomy and such. As a thank you to him, I had this photo I took printed and framed, and gave it to him as a gift. (He is really the best!) He had it hung up in one of his treatment rooms, and I would see it every time I came in for a follow up visit. When my daughter went the other day, she was put into that room, and the picture is still hanging up! A lot of places will redecorate after so many years, so I was surprised to hear it was still there. I knew he was a huge fan of purple - being part of his college colors - so that is why I chose that particular photo to give. It's just one of those things in life that makes me so happy!
Today's schedule of course includes more work, of which I am not so thrilled. Seems I am suffering some side effects of diet pills today as well, so not feeling quite myself either. I am hoping just to make it through the day. The kids will be off to school soon, and then it's a big three day weekend for them. That would be awesome if I didn't have to work all but one of those days. Ah well. That's life I guess.....

SNOW!!

2011-01-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

So this is what it looks like outside at my house. Needless to say - my kids are going to be very late for school - if I decide to take them at all. Our school officials never want to cancel school, even if the conditions outside are very unsafe for travel. I really don't understand it. But it is what it is I guess. There have already been a few car accidents this morning, but not really as many as I expected. I have been listening to the scanner since about 4 this morning.

I guess once I get to the garage and dig out the shovel, I will be busy shoveling a sidewalk path and digging out the car. I know - compared to some places I really don't have so much to do - but I really really hate going out in this stuff. Then there will be the drive in my little car. I worry. This would have been a great time to own a cell phone, but sadly I have not graduated to this century technology wise. I have been eyeballing the htc desire, but never got around to really getting serious about purchasing one. With the truck I have Onstar, so no worrying, but it is very hard to keep on the road in snow and ice. I just really have a hard time justifying putting my kids in danger for school. And not having the ability to call for help - well - that's why we aren't going anywhere anytime soon this morning.....

LONGING FOR SOMETHING MORE....

2011-01-09T02:08:00.000-08:00

Here's another oldie. It's been so cold outside here, well I guess everywhere, so I haven't gone out yet. I can't wait for spring to arrive. Winter is always so depressing it seems.....
The new year has brought me a desire to do many things differently, the biggest change I would like to make is in my job. I have been searching the help wanted ads every day, hoping there would be something else out there for me. Of course I would prefer a job in the arts of some kind, but those are always so few and far between. I have considered everything from secretarial positions to healthcare jobs, but I also have to find a way to make the job fit in with raising my children. It's a pretty hard balance to find these days. It almost feels like a person with kids is penalized in some ways. If my kids get sick - obviously I will need to take a day off - employers don't tend to like that very much. But, who else is going to take care of them? Employers seem to want people who will dedicate every minute of their lives to the job, and I just can't do that....

A FRESH START

2011-01-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

I think it's time to dust off the big camera and get it moving again soon. I haven't taken the time to do any photographing of my "art" side lately. If it hasn't been for work, I haven't done it at all. I shot this photo in Arkansas about 4 or 5 years ago. Seems so far away. This summer I am hoping to plan a camping trip to Tennessee - and boy will my camera be used then! I have been looking pretty hard at a State Park called Fall Creek Falls. It's not to far from my Gramma's house, so I can also stop and spend some time with her as well. Anyhow, this place is full of waterfalls and whirlpools and wildlife by the looks of it! Camping is cheap, and money is way too tight to plan much else. Not that I don't love it - I do. I suppose it will all depend on how high gas prices go this summer. I have till the end of June to save a little money, and plan the whole thing, so hopefully it will all work in our favor. I love waterfalls, but the biggest one I have ever seen in person was in Colorado. I didn't have a camera back then so I never got any photos of it. And it was too cold to enjoy it so much LOL! So this is my goal. No resolutions for the new year - only goals, and this - is my goal for the summer!!

SNOWMAN FILTER!!!!

2010-12-22T05:14:00.001-08:00

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Click on the picture and check out each little light!! It looks as if there were a hundred snowmen on that tree! But - it just so happens my daughter brought me over a pair of 3-D like glasses, that are actually light filters. When you look through them at a light, they make it appear to be snowmen! Even the MOON looked like a big giant snowman with these on! So of course I had to see if I could use it as a filter on the camera, and sure enough - it worked!! She also brought me snowflake ones, angel ones, and star ones! I can't wait to use these for other things now! LOL!
As Christmas is just days away, I still haven't finished shopping. Have you? I actually didn't think I would be doing this much shopping, but miracles never cease! Now I am thinking about birthstone gifts for mom, something like a little bracelet with all the stones for each kid. I think she would love that. But since money is so tight this year, we drew names, and I may have to wait to get that for her birthday. I know I would love something like that (Hint Hint) in a necklace - so I can carry a symbol of them always close to my heart.
I still have to brave the walmart for a few last minute groceries and stocking stuffers - and man I do not look forward to that. I am off work today, so hopefully I can get that done early! It seems like there is always so much to get done, and not even close to enough time to get it all done in!!
I hope everyone out there has a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

OH NO THERE'S MORE!!!

2010-12-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

So I was doing what I usually do on my days off, looking for the worlds best best eye wrinkle cream and other amazing things, when I decided to try out the "elf yourself" Christmas web page that my friend Mack introduced me to a few years back. Little did I know, THAT THERE WAS MORE!! Oh yeah! More funky funny goodness, wedged into one page for all!! LMAO! This kind of stuff just cracks me up - and I know when the kids see this, they are going to be rolling on the floor!! AND I just don't think I look to bad at all with a 'fro! *Note to self: Give that hairdo a try!* So now I'm off to go play with this some more - you should too - totally HYSTERICAL!!

GONNA MISS EM'

2010-12-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

My brother came by this morning to pick up his photographs, and let me know that after the holidays, he is moving to Colorado. It makes me kind of sad. We were both born and raised here in Kansas, but he's ready to trade it all in for a shot at what might be waiting for him there in the mountains. Hopefully it's a job, and a new start. He's been working on his little old motorhome, getting heat going and some repairs done, and as soon as he get's the cash and the rv insurance, he's taking down the road. He said he is planning on living in it while he is there, until he can save enough money to rent or buy a house. The cost of living there is much much higher than here, so I think it's going to be a while. I've always heard that the grass is never greener on the other side, but for his sake - I hope it is. I sure will miss him....

TIME TO START BAKING!!

2010-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what everyone is getting for Christmas from me this year? LOL! Pickles and Jellies and COOKIES!! I feel kinda sorry for all my soon to be 20 pounds fatter friends of mine, as I am getting things ready to bake about 15 different kinds of cookies this week. And fudge. Yummy gooey fudge. Should I send some of the best fat burner recipes along with the cookie boxes? I got some of the most awesome egg nogg from the liquor store on Saturday too - definitely not for dieters. Soooo incredibly good though. I don't think I am going to share it. Actually I might get a little smashed whilst baking the said cookies. Oh who am I kidding. I'm going to go have some nowwwwwwwwwwwww.....................

STORM CHASERS OVER

2010-12-02T04:06:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else been totally obsessed with the show "Storm Chasers" on the Discovery Chanel?? Last night was the season finale - makes me sad. I don't think any one TV show has ever made me feel so many emotions all in one hour! I found myself angry at Josh for being mean to Sean Casey - jeesh - he was just doing what he needed to. There were many moments watching Reed that I found myself biting my fingernails and leaning in towards the TV so far that I almost fell over. Seeing the destruction and death - brought me to tears. These storms are only pretty when they are out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't get to go out as much this year, though photographing storms is one of my biggest passions. Watching what they do on the show had to suffice. Now I can't wait for Seans' IMAX film to be finished, and I know I will be standing in line to be one of the first to see it! Until then, I guess my Wednesday nights will be spent reading reviews (click here to learn more) on everything online shopping based, and maybe a few games on the Facebook again. And I guess there is always the hope of a nice blizzard to roll through Kansas too - but not even as close to the excitement of the thunder and lightning. *sigh*

A KITTY PORTRAIT

2010-12-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

Yeah so - I'm obsessed with my kitteh kitteh.... He just stands all still and poses, so why not? LOL! And he's a pretty kitty, so I will just continue to photograph him until he tells me to stop! I woke up this morning with him sitting on my head, I guess he wanted my attention. I left the television on all night by accident, so what better to wake up to than an entire infomercial about the best male enhancement products! Jeesh! I really just want a cup of coffee and a little peace and quiet before I have to get the kids out of bed for school. Lately the mornings have been nothing buy a bunch of fighting and bickering.... I hope they realize Santa is watching them! Ohhh shoot me now....

GOT IT DONE

2010-11-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

I finally got my little Christmas tree up this evening. The kids and I got it all decorated, then we turned out the lights to have a gander at it. I don't know why, but it always looks so much more magical in the dark! We listened to our Christmas songs on the radio, had waffles for supper, and dug around in the Christmas box - remembering stories of the past with each little ornament. For some reason I feel like I am running late, even though I usually don't put up any Christmas decorations until December! Maybe all the stores having it out on Halloween made my internal clock all wonky. For now though, I am tuckered out, ready to get on my jammies, my moisturizing night cream, and relax in bed with the TV on. I might even make it through an actual show without falling asleep..... or not.

OH MY JEEBUS!

2010-11-26T05:27:00.000-08:00

Let me just say.....
That Target was a complete MADHOUSE this morning! I would rather go on a colon cleanse diet for a month straight, than ever ever ever do THAT again! I went in for TWO things, one they had lots and lots of, the other, they only had TWO of, and I was not the first in line, so I didn't get it. By the time I got to stand in line, it was all the way around the front of the store, and I would have had to wait for THREE hours in line to check out. I left my cart (hopefully I can go and see if it's still there later on) and I came home. I ended up being able to order the ONE thing I was after that they only had TWO of. Online. I should have stayed home where it was warm, had coffee, and shopped in my pajamas like a normal human being!! Let me also just say, that people never cease to amaze me - talk about some very rude and grouchy people. So much for the "spirit" of the holiday eh? Gahh!

FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT

2010-11-15T04:55:00.001-08:00

My Sunday's from here on out are going to be rather full! I have several photo shoots lined up, as folks are wanting portraits done for Christmas cards this year. Yesterday I gave it a practice run out at the nature center, and my Brother's family let me use them as my subjects.

One thing I have learned over the years, I would almost always rather be reading diet pill reviews, instead of doing family portraits.It's just torture. I can take a thousand photos, and always always - at least one person looks funny, has their eyes closed, or some other unusual thing. This one was as close to perfect I could get. My little nephew is a funny kid LOL!

After the family shots, my nephew warmed up to the camera quite well, and he called this pose his "man pose." Heehee!! I gave him no directions - he just jumped up there and gave me a perfect shot! I love it!

My little nieces were awesome too. The oldest one was determined to get a duck in her photo, but I think we succeeded in getting only a little part of one. The youngest one at the bottom needed a fru-fru princess dress and a magic wand - the forest scene would have been perfect for it!! I do love this time of year for portraits, and hopefully I can get my own kids out there very very soon!

The whole photo shoot took just around 30 minutes, which for a family of 5 - that is a miracle. I got a few other great shots, and will be working on editing today. I need that Cloud program I saw on TV so I can put all the best faces together for one perfect family photo! LOL!

Have a great week!!

FIELDS OF LAVENDER

2010-11-13T17:06:00.000-08:00

These photos were sent to me in an email. I don't know who to give the credit to, as the email didn't say who the photographer was, but I think they are just stunning. I want to live here. Can you imagine what it would be like to wake up every morning to the glorious smell alone? Not to mention being able to enjoy a view like this every day! Generally speaking, my email inbox is usually filled with stuff saying I have won the British lottery or offers to try some new supplements for weight loss. This one was too good not to share, so enjoy! It's so pretty I can almost smell it right from the computer! (I do have a lavender candle burning.... might be why LOL!)

Can you just imagine being able to stroll down these rows? Magnificent!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBY!

2010-11-05T03:11:00.000-07:00

Today is my sons' 11th birthday! I took this photo of him when he was around 4, and it is still my all time favorite one. He's such a good boy, and I am so proud of him. This early morning I am baking him cupcakes to share with his class. (In the oven now....) Then tonight I am cooking him his special requested dinner, letting him open his gift, and we got the movie "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" to watch and stay up late. Tomorrow is the family celebration, and Sunday he'll go for supper with his grandparents. A full weekend is in store for sure! I've got to go to work this morning yet, and I have also been reading through some web hosting reviews. I have been thinking for a long time now about moving this blog to my own dot com, but just haven't had the guts to jump into it. I wonder if maybe starting a whole new site would be better? It's hard to think about leaving or changing something you have worked on for so many years. I keep trying to convince myself that change and growth are good. I see that in some things, but other things just make me shake my head and feel just a little bit sad.....

ANOTHER RUNAWAY FIRE!!

2010-11-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

This was what I saw on my way to pick the kids up from school today!

It started with a grass fire, and has since become three separate fires, which did eventually lead to the evacuation of my childrens' school. Thankfully they were already safe at home with me.

This photo was taken about a block away from my brothers' house, at about 17th and Obee Road. He's waiting still to see if he will need to move his belongings out. He's already taken a couple loads out, and is just staying away from the area for now.

This photo was taken when I picked the kids up from school - in the parking lot. Looks ominous doesn't it?!

This was the view from 4th Street, looking towards the airport. I do believe our firefighters will have their hands full for the rest of the night. The winds are just horrible, so this is one problem they are having. And of course, it's going to get really cold overnight.

I do hope everyone stays ok, and that they get the fires put out. Even though there is not much left of my childhood home, it would be so sad to see it go up in flames...

FROM HALLOWEEN...

2010-11-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

Halie and I had a LOT of fun carving pumpkins last night! We started them all together as a family, but that turned into a giant punkin' gut throwing festival, and we all had seeds and goop in our hair after fifteen minutes! So the big boys took the little kids on to trick-or-treat, and she and I stayed home to hand out candy and finish the carving.....

Saturday night the kids got to go and get candy from a "Trunk-Or-Treat" put on by the Emergency Services communities. This is our Life Watch helicopter team, giving candy to Rye and Shane. Tons of people were there handing out candy, and it was so nice to be able to go out and feel safe. What a great group of folks for doing this for our kids!

And... my front porch with the punkins all lit up! One family thought we were all a bunch of stuffed people sitting in the front yard - too funny! It was just all of us yaywho's! We had hoped to light a little fire in the small grill, but the wind was just to strong to be safe about it. A good time was still had by all, and I am so grateful to have such awesome neighbors!!

I BURNED IT AGAIN....

2010-11-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

Recently I was sent a free sample, consisting of this nifty little steel sponge, and asked to provide an honest opinion of it. It actually couldn't have come at a better time, because I had baked a ham on one of my favorite cookie sheets, and burned it on there pretty good. I really thought I was going to have to throw the pan away. First we tried the standard steel sponge that most people get at the grocery store - didn't even touch it. Once we got started with one of the sponges I was sent, it took about ten minutes to clean the entire pan, and now I can again use it!! One great thing I noticed about it was how much thicker it was. We think it would be easy to use to clean the grill with too. My mom says that once you use up a steel sponge, you can stuff it into holes in your house where you think mice could be getting in. We live by a big field, so we get mice in the winter, and we are going to be using it for this as well. So overall, it worked much better than the ones you buy at the store, and my favorite part is that you can buy it online. I like shopping online and avoiding the store whenever possible. So that's a two thumbs up from me!

The info: I got this product for free, and am being compensated for my time and effort. This has in no part affected my honest review of the product.

FULL MOON

2010-10-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just shot this out the car windshield a few nights ago. The moon was so gorgeous! I wished I had taken the Canon, but all I had was my little purse camera. My BFF called me last night to tell me to go and look at how orange and big the moon was, but I couldn't see it. I am surrounded by trees, and she said it looked so low to the ground. I wonder if it is what they call a "harvest moon"? I just find it fascinating, no matter what it's called!

FOR MY MAR MAR

2010-10-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

I really wish I could get into doing these linoleum prints again. I have some extra supplies to do it with, but I have no access to a press anymore. I could take a class with "Random Weird Guy" but it might just be too awkward anymore. This print was named "Medicate", but maybe should have been called "blackhead on nose"...... I never got to practice enough to figure out how to make certain spots not look so "hairy". Creating these is hard to me. My brain doesn't tend to think like it is supposed to. I have seen some prints out there though that will just blow your mind! Check out Artwanted.com to see what I mean. I wish I had HALF that kind of talent!!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

2010-10-21T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it's 3 o'clock in the morning here. Still awake, still can't sleep. Got the coffee going even. That was my Halie on her first day of high school. Now she's going to be a mommy herself. Gone is the pink hair and dark clothing. She got all grown up on me. The other day she asked me about my term life insurance quotes and then on her own - went out and took out renters insurance and her own life insurance policy. I NEVER had that in my head at her age! I never even bought my own life insurance policy until after my third child was born! Some days my girl just amazed me. The fact that she is thinking beyond what is right in front of her is so cool. Maybe it's the whole baby thing? I can't believe I am going to be a GRAMMA!!

FLASHBACKS

2010-10-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

I have recently been going through all of my old blog posts - reading them, looking at the photos, and as it turns out, re-saving all the photos so I can put them all on one CD. It's hard to believe I have been doing this for going on SIX years now! In doing all the looking back - I have noticed that spammers have left comments all over the place. Old posts as far back as the very beginning of it all. So, I have been trying to go back and delete all of those too. Kind of like a nice colon cleanse for blog land. But lordy what a PITA!! Ha! Anyhow, I have found TONS of mile long comments on the weirdest stuff, all of them linking to "not so groovy" places on the web. Like p@rn sites and the like. (I don't dare say the word out loud.) How insane!

Can anyone tell yet? I can't sleep!!

THE BIG RED BOX

2010-10-21T00:32:00.000-07:00

When the Monopoly game comes to McDonalds - we tend to eat there. A lot. So I pull all the little sticky tabs off my french fries - and there it was! A free movie rental at the Redbox! I usually get all my movies from Netflix, but I wanted to watch the new "Karate Kid" movie, so I went up to use my freebie. That was when I noticed that you can now rent the blu ray discs from here too! They cost a $1.50 instead of the famous $1, but ok. I don't have a player, so I am wondering what the difference is? Anyone out there have one? What is the difference? Is it really better than the regular DVD's? I am so curious now.....

I LOVE COUPONS!!

2010-10-21T00:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my bloggy friend Sarah - I have found my love for coupon shopping once again. She has been posting her photos of all the great stuff she got for free, or for very very cheap, on her facebook page, and I had to give it another shot for myself! I was off work yesterday, so I went out and got a couple of free bottles of Gain dish soap, some Nivea body wash for free, and THREE Brita water pitchers for $20!! (That's about the price of one!) I am using 2 for myself, and giving one for a Christmas gift. I have found that there are coupons out there for just about anything you want to buy! Although, I do want a set of matouk bath towels, and so far - no coupons for those! Maybe someone else will find a coupon for them, and I will be on the receiving end of the Christmas gift!! LOL!! (A girl can dream!)

STORM CHASERS

2010-10-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

I was watching the new episode of Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel tonight - and got to thinking about some of the storms I have photographed myself. I took this one a couple years back, but I never really new if it was a tornado or not. I didn't have a computer in my truck, so I had no access to a radar to find out exactly what I was looking at. I had been keeping in touch with the folks at home who were checking it out for me periodically, but of course - cell phone batteries always have a way of going dead when you really need them. So after seeing the show tonight - it got me wondering if this shot was a long distance photo of a large tornado. There were several in the area that night, but I couldn't tell for sure..... hmmmmm.....

ALLERGIES EWW

2010-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Lest We Remember"

More messing around with photos.... I wanted to make a point, but I don't know if it comes across....

So... that's it for today. Went to work, got a bloody nose within five minutes of getting started. It's hard to take care of customers with a tissue shoved up my nose. I don't know if it's the dehumidifier being on too long, or if it's the exact opposite. The weather around here has been so odd, and even my boss is dealing with the allergies still. And just think - cold and flu season is coming. OH joy.......

COLD OUT THIS MORNIN

2010-10-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

I was messing around with the new filters on Picnik last night. Of course it's almost Halloween, so I was going for some creepy imagery..... I think it turned out a little weird....

Yesterday I was sad because the weather has been so warm here. This morning I open up the front door and it is super chilly out there! A trip out onto the poor and I can see that several of my neighbors even have their fireplaces going already! The weather sure does seem to change fast in these parts! I have heard some farmers saying that the winter should be extra mild this year too. So probably not much snow. If they are right anyhow. Last year the farmers predicted a very hard winter, and we had a bunch of snow, so maybe there is something to it?!

FORGOTTEN FALL

2010-10-17T07:23:00.001-07:00

The leaves here are turning colors and falling off the trees. The pumpkin patches are open, and everyone is thinking about Halloween costumes and hot apple cider. The sweaters and jackets are washed and ready to go. Football is in full swing, and my beloved Nascar races are almost over..... But, for some reason, the weather hasn't noticed yet!! The temperatures here for the last week have been staying in the upper 80's!! It happens like this every now and again, and sometimes we even have snowstorms at Halloween. I am, however, just ready for that clean, crisp fall air. Complete with the smell of bon-fires and weenie roasts! How 'bout you?!

IN THE ORDINARY

2010-10-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

I was wandering around in the garage the other day, looking for all of our Halloween decorations - when I found some inspiration. I love old things anyway, but this thing, whatever it is, caught my eye. It's old and rusty, and the stark contrast of it against the old pair of safety gloves made me run in the house and grab my camera. I think it's a very old vice or something like that. I just know it was my Dads once upon a time. I found a few other interesting things as well - my Grandfathers axe that he passed down to my Dad, which came to me, which will go to my son. It's got it's own time weathered leather case, and I think I will try and find a creative way to photograph it as well. Maybe just as it is - hanging on the wall there. It's funny how if you really just open your eyes, there is so much to see. And appreciate.....

THE MAN WHO BROUGHT ME THE MOON

2010-10-13T05:31:00.001-07:00

This very moment marks one year since he left us. It has been so hard to get through all the moments, the holidays, the simple things that he would have normally been such a pivotal part of. I miss him so much. Not one single day goes by that I don't wish he was here, don't wish I could call him. If he's up there somewhere and he could see me, I think he would be praying that I stop being so sad soon. But I don't know how. Some things you can get over - a divorce - loss of belongings - you can move on from those. But I don't know how to move on from losing my Daddy. It almost feels like it just happened. The weather feels the same, there are smells in the air that seem all too familiar. I used to love it. My heart just can't seem to heal.....

I miss you Daddy.

THE.BEST.HOMEWORK.EVER!

2010-10-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

My son got the best homework assignment EVER! For music class, they were asked to create a tombstone for Ludwig Van! The more creative, the better of course. They were encouraged to make it a family project - even better - and after about a week of work - this is what we came up with!! TOO MUCH FUN! My 10 year old son can now tell you just about anything you would ever want to know about Beethoven! Of course, while we were working, we listened to his music, and my son told me about the stories behind some of the pieces. Very interesting, and something I had no idea about. For this project, we made a "frame" of sorts, out of cardboard boxes. Then we used papier mache to make it all one unit, then we painted a base coat with black spray paint. For the rest, we used acrylic paint with a roller sponge, and a little bit of sand out of the yard for texture. It looks pretty cool I think! I found the little foam letters in a kit at the store - and let me give some advice for this one - turn off the ceiling fans before you dump all the letters out onto the table!! We had them all over the kitchen!! LOL! The project gave us the idea though of actually making some more tombstones for Halloween, so I brought home a truck load of boxes from my job. Talk about keeping the kids busy for a rainy weekend!! The only problem comes up when we want to put them outside, but don't want them to be ruined by the rains. I am going to have to look around the craft store and see if I can find something we can coat them with to keep them safe from the elements!! It's much more fun than just going out and buying decorations, and the kids love the involvement! Try it out!

Have a great week ya'll!!

OH GIVE ME A HOME.....

2010-10-02T03:56:00.001-07:00

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Chorus
Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Where the air is so pure, the zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange my home on the range
For all of the cities so bright.

Chorus

The red man was pressed from this part of the West
He's likely no more to return,
To the banks of Red River where seldom if ever
Their flickering camp-fires burn.

Chorus

How often at night when the heavens are bright
With the light from the glittering stars
Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds that of ours.

Chorus

Oh, I love these wild prairies where I roam
The curlew I love to hear scream,
And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks
That graze on the mountain-tops green.

Chorus

Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurely down the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.

Chorus

It's funny to me how the buffalo here in Kansas don't really roam much. Kind of sad too. How much has changed since this song/poem was written. This field of buffalo were fenced in, and part of a farm that raises them for food. I have personally never eaten any but people say it's pretty good, and actually pretty healthy for you. Yeah.... I dunno. I'll just stick to my weight loss supplements I think. I didn't even know this farm existed here, and the only other place I had even seen a buffalo was at the zoo. I was on a quest for windmill photos and just happened to spot it while driving. Of course I have never seen an antelope either. So what in the world has happened to all of these things that the writer of this poem used to see?

AGAIN WITH THE CAT ALREADY??

2010-09-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

I know - I apologize. But my cat is just so pretty, and so completely in some kind of love with this piano!! See his great big smile?! He likes to model for the camera too LOL! I am convinced more and more every day that he has no clue that he is a kitteh! My little daughter has a set of magnetic paper dolls that she plays with on the refrigerator - and so does he. Every morning he goes in and has his fun moving all the pieces around, then eventually swatting them off and toting them away to his secret hiding place. So weird!
So last night I had to explain the whole pimple thing to my 10 year old - not fun. He is getting to be pretty self conscious about it, and convincing him that he does not need a complete body acne treatment was next to impossible. He has a condition called Keratosis Pilaris - that looks like pimples, but they arent. It covers the boys' arms and part of his legs, and it really is bothering him. The doctor said it was harmless, but I worry about the whole self esteem thing. I worry more about what is to come for him later on in adolescence. There really isn't anything I can do for him either - so we are just kind of stuck right now. I do know - I am so not ready to deal with a teenaged boy! LOL!

CAN YOU SEE THEM??

2010-09-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

If you click on the photo, it should blow up so you can see the two deer I almost made into road toast the other day!! They walked right out in front of me, got to the other side of the fence there, and just stood there looking at me. I had my camera, so I got a lucky shot! I wish I could have gotten closer to them, but then again I don't know if they would bite me or just run away! They are so pretty though, don't you think?
At least I got to see one pretty thing this week. Now I get to go and teach my son how to remove pimples. Puberty isn't supposed to come this early is it???? Regardless - it sucks. I hope your night is better than mine is bound to be..... *Huaahhh* (Insert JJ)

BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN

2010-09-20T05:59:00.001-07:00

The fair is finally over! The traffic is gone, the carnival has left, and life at home is now back to normal! I've collected all of my items, my checks totaling $48, a gift certificate to the local camera shop for $5, and all my lovely ribbons. I can breathe now. And start planning out my entries for next year! LOL! For the most part though, life goes back to the mundane. I'll be back to my search for anti wrinkle eye cream, back to my house chores, and back to full steam ahead with the kids' activities. Next I suppose will be Halloween, then before we know it - Christmas will be here!

I am looking forward to our fall activities - a trip to the pumpkin farm, hot apple cider, and crunching around in the fallen leaves. Hopefully a few photo opportunities in that as well. I think I would miss the chaos if it got to be too quiet around here!!

WALKING IN THE SPIDER WEBS

2010-09-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

I shot this one the other morning, just after the rain had stopped. I had almost run right into the strands of it that were stuck to the ground, but noticed it just in time to go back into the house and get my camera. There is something so magical about these webs. You can go to bed at night, and there is not a trace of them, then wake up the next morning to find such beauty! It's really quite amazing if you think about it.....

So the weekend is over - again. Seems like it always goes by too fast. Back to work tomorrow, back to school for the kids. I have a million things to get done, but I have no clue how I will accomplish that. I won't even have time to eat lunch tomorrow, so I'll be taking a few weight loss drinks with me instead of trying to stuff down a sandwich. I always take a bite of lunch - then end up having to talk to or wait on a customer, and it's not really fun with your mouth full! After work it'll be come home and clean up from the weekend. I loathe laundry - and it's piled up at the moment. I guess the magic fairies won't be showing up to get any of this done for me, so it's off to be for me - just hoping I can actually get some sleep tonight.....

ANIMAL PORTRAIT

2010-09-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

I used this picture of my kitty for my black and white portrait entry at the fair this year. Of course it didn't win anything, but I sure do love it. (Click on the picture to view it in full size if you wish.) This one is actually going to be framed and hung up on the wall with our family photos. I have only had one other pet in my life that became part of my family, and sadly she passed away when my oldest daughter was just 6. So our home has been without an animal companion until last year when Lilly arrived, then this kitty, Angel, mysteriously showed up out of nowhere on our doorstep. He of course does not realize that he is a cat - he thinks he is a human, so we will indulge him and make sure he sees that his photo is up on the wall too! Lately he has taken to playing the piano - kind of creepy when you are sleeping, and wake up to hear it! When any humans are playing the piano, he curls up underneath it and just listens - too cute. I envy him sometimes, not having the daily stresses that we do, just eating and sleeping and getting love and attention. He's a fat kitty now, but he doesn't have to worry about finding diet pills that work, or what he would look like in a bikini. (He hates the water..... LOL!) He did however go through a period of mourning when my oldest daughter moved out and took Lilly (His wife kitty) with her. He cried and cried and I was so worried about him. He would look for her all over the house, then just look so sad. He seems to be ok now, but someone is usually always scratching him behind the ears or playing with him, so hopefully he will be ok. I know - some people may think it's silly to care so much for a cat, but he really is just like having another kid in the house. And we just love him!!

FAMILY FUN DAY!!

2010-09-14T04:18:00.001-07:00

That Ferris Wheel scared the life out of me!! I wanted to take a picture of the entire grounds from up there, but I was frozen with fear. I couldn't move, and I wanted to barf. So this is where I stood safely while my children rode this horrible boat ride! LOL! This one did in my son - who declared that he was DONE riding rides for the day. I think it was the heights thing - It horrifies me, and I suppose it just means that neither my son nor myself will ever have jobs that involve getting higher up in the air than a couple of porch steps!
My little girl however - look out! She loved it, and was totally ready for more! She went on the roller coaster all by herself, road the Himalaya with me, and the Tilt-A-Whirl with me too. I like the things that stay on the ground and go around in circles really really fast!

What is your favorite carnival ride?

RIBBONS FROM THE FAIR!!

2010-09-12T05:40:00.001-07:00

I hadn't planned on going to the fair yesterday. But I couldn't stand it. I couldn't wait until Monday to find out if I had won any ribbons! And I am glad I went after all. This photo won a third place ribbon for color pictorial! The highlight of my day was my big BLUE first place ribbon for my black and white photojournalism print!! I got my wish, got my blue ribbon, and it was the photo of my grandparents' graves with a photo of my daddy on it. I have posted it here before, so I won't again, but it just so happened that yesterday would have been my Dad's birthday. Last year he was in the ICU for his birthday, and then of course we lost him. It's like he was with me, even though not in the physical sense. On our way out of the fair grounds, we set free a couple of balloons to the heavens, and wished him a happy birthday. We were teary-eyed, but we knew he was right there smiling, walking beside us in spirit.

WAITING WITH A CHANCE OF BLUE

2010-09-10T14:08:00.001-07:00

So here I sit waiting. Waiting until Monday that is, when I take the kids for their annual trip to the State Fair! For days I sorted through and did my best to pick out the photos I wanted to enter for the photography contests, and finally I chose one for each category. I was able to choose two for the "wheat" section, and I will let you guess from the photo up there which ones I picked. Now I just have to wait until Monday to find out if I will be bringing home any ribbons or not! In my old age that is supposed to bring maturity, I don't go into it expecting to win anything anymore. It's supposed to be fun, and by golly I did have a lot of fun preparing. I also entered 2 jars of jellies for the very first time, but I know I won't win anything there - those old ladies know what they are doing, and boy do they do it well!! My youngest entered the pop can art contest, and we worked on it together. I know she will be pleased with the participation ribbon she will receive, so all will be just wonderful! Man I do love the fair!
In other news this week, I put my shoulder out again somehow. It's very painful to move it, and I really can't take anything for it, or do anything about it. I have a feeling that I may need rotator cuff surgery in the future. Problem with that is, I don't have disability insurance, and I can not afford to take of work as long as that will take to heal. So I will limp it along and try not to make it any worse for the time being. Kind of hard to do with my job, but what do you do? It even hurts to hold my camera up to take a photo. *Cry*
I hope everyone else has a great weekend, and hopefully I can snag a few pix with my little camera and show you some sights from the fair! Have a good one!

PHOTO EXPEDITION

2010-09-02T15:37:00.001-07:00

So I took myself and my camera out for a whole two hour expedition today! It's been so long since I spent any real quality time with her, that I almost forgot what I was doing. It just gets so easy sometimes to pick up the little digi-cam and take a snapshot - then I end up wishing I had used the big girl camera later. This building has always fascinated me, and I have really been meaning to stop and take a photo of it for a couple of years now. Life tends to get in my way a lot. So today - I finally pulled the car over and had my way with it. I think the bold red against the aged paint-peeling tin is what grabs me. That coupled with the broken window - and I'm just a big sucker. Poor ol' building could use a few new windows and some Schlage doorknobs couldn't she? Forunately for me though, no one seems to care for this building at all. It's been like this for such a long time now, that it makes me wonder if it even has an owner. And check out that vintage mailbox!!! Oh if only it were legal for me to snag it - I so would!! But then that would take away part of her beauty wouldn't it? So there is my favorite picture for the day. Only god knows when I will have a chance to get out and do this again - but I am hoping it's soon!

THE NEW CANON 60D

2010-08-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Go figure - a year after I invest huge amounts of money into my 50D - they come out with this one! I don't really see that much of a difference but a few megapixels and of course the video capabilities (which I care nothing about) so it looks like I still made a good choice. Anyhow, here it is folks!

Canon's New EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera Unleashes The Creative Potential Of Digital Photography And EOS Full HD Video With New In-Camera Imaging Features

New EOS 60D Offers a Vari-Angle LCD Screen, EOS Full HD Video Recording, In-Camera RAW Processing and Creative Filters and 18-Megapixel Resolution Among Class-Leading Specs

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 26, 2010 – High-quality digital capture and skillful post-processing go hand-in-hand for superior end results, and more control over in-camera image processing means less time editing and more time shooting. At the same time, the overwhelming popularity of Full HD video recording with other current EOS Digital SLRs has led to customer requests for more advanced features such as manual audio level control and flexible LCD screens. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, delivers all of these features and more with the new EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera. For the first time on an EOS camera, the EOS 60D DSLR boasts a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen, EOS Full HD video recording with manual overrides including audio level control, and in-camera functionality for RAW image processing plus Creative Filters to manipulate images after taking them. Designed primarily for advanced amateurs, the EOS 60D replaces the EOS 50D and boasts a broad array of new features that make it easier for photographers to add personal creativity to their images. Whether it's capturing an overhead shot on the Vari-Angle screen at a graduation ceremony, or converting a color image to black and white for a nostalgic look, Canon is delivering in-camera features and functions that empower advanced photographers to capture, display and print the images they want.

"The EOS 60D has been designed to offer the image-capture and the Full HD video features customers are looking for as they continue to expand their photographic skills. The exciting new features of the EOS 60D make using a DSLR camera more attractive and easier than ever before. We want everyone to experience the great image quality a Canon DSLR can offer with features and functions that they will appreciate and use," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

Exciting EOS "Firsts"

For the first time in the history of the Canon EOS System, the new 60D camera features a large Vari-Angle 3-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution plus anti-reflective and smudge-resistant coatings for bright clear viewing from any angle. The new LCD screen is ideal for composing low-angle or overhead shots whether capturing still images or Full HD video clips.

Another first for the EOS system is the EOS 60D camera's new Multi-Control Dial, which places a Multi-Controller and Set button inside the Quick Control Dial. This new control layout streamlines camera navigation for vertical as well as horizontal shooting and enables a cleaner camera design. Responding to customer requests, the EOS 60D also features a locking mode dial, which makes camera operation more secure by preventing inadvertent changes to the photographer's selected shooting mode.

While the photography mantra of "get it right in the camera" still stands true, Canon's new EOS 60D gives advanced photographers an edge with new in-camera features that enable users to enhance their images without a computer even after they have been shot. For the first time ever in an EOS camera, the EOS 60D features in-camera processing of RAW image files, new reduced resolution image copies, and post-processing creative image filters for exceptional flexibility in digital image rendering.

In-camera RAW image processing features include Picture Style, White Balance (WB), Color Space, High-ISO Noise Reduction, Peripheral Illumination Correction, linear distortion correction and chromatic aberration correction. These powerful in-camera editing tools will allow photographers in the field to produce optimized images on the spot and generate JPEG files at various resolution and compression settings for immediate sharing, without affecting the original RAW data.
Another great new feature for photographers-on-the-go is Canon's new image resizing function. After capturing full resolution or smaller JPEG images, the camera can generate lower-resolution copies using menu commands. New lower-resolution settings include 1920 x 1280 for optimal display on HD televisions, or 720 x 480, ideal for immediate uploading to social networking and other photo sharing web sites. The original high resolution files remain unaffected by the image resizing function.
Available for the first time in an EOS camera are Canon's new creative image filters. Familiar to Canon PowerShot users, these fun photo effects help make a great image more dynamic, even after it has been shot. Canon provides four artistic filters that allow photographers to capture an image and then create and manipulate a digital copy of it.

The Soft Focus effect filter helps dramatize an image and smooth over shiny reflections.
The Grainy Black and White filter can give a different nostalgic perspective to any shot.
Canon's "Toy Camera" filter deliberately adds vignetting and color shift for a creative option when shooting a colorful scene.
Users can also make a scene appear like a small-scale model, simulating the look from a tilt-shift lens, with Canon's Miniature Effect filter, great when shooting any scene from a high vantage point.

Each of these filters can be applied to a captured still image in-camera to create a second "filtered" JPEG version, leaving the original RAW or JPEG file unaffected.

Another addition to the camera's Live View function is Canon's new Aspect Ratio feature whereby the Live View screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard 3:2 ratio. These cropping lines make it easier to compose images in Live View, and they can help to expedite printing when using Canon's supplied Digital Photo Professional software. Custom aspect ratios are also applied to JPEG images whether captured directly in-camera or created with the EOS 60D's in-camera RAW image processing function.

EOS HD Video: Continuing the Video Paradigm Shift

In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 60D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing. The EOS 60D builds upon the great video capabilities Canon has introduced in recent DSLR cameras and packs them into a camera photo enthusiasts will love. Full HD video capture, along with selectable cinematic frame rates for both NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Altering Line) standards, will help the EOS 60D to be the camera of choice among film students and photography students alike.

The new EOS 60D camera's movie mode also includes manual controls for exposure as well as manual audio levels in 64 steps, much like the latest firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II HD-SLR. Users can set audio levels on the rear menu screen before shooting begins; once recording is initialized, audio adjustments are not possible. In addition, Canon has added an electronic Wind Filter to the audio controls within the movie shooting menu.

Canon has also included an in-camera movie editing feature, allowing users to shorten a video file by clipping segments from the beginning or the end, removing unwanted portions without outside software. This feature can dramatically accelerate workflow by reducing the time needed to upload video clips to a computer for further editing and assembly. The EOS 60D also includes Canon's Movie Crop mode, which allows users to achieve 7x magnification when shooting SD video. Unlike the digital zoom feature found in many compact digital cameras, Canon's Movie Crop mode crops the image directly from the CMOS sensor at full SD resolution to preserve image quality and still provide additional telephoto power.

Providing access to the right lens for any given shooting scenario, the EOS 60D DSLR camera is compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses. The EOS 60D DSLR's video functions are supported by two key proprietary Canon technologies, a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and a large APS-C–sized CMOS sensor capturing fine detail and color with an amazing cinematic depth of field. The Canon EOS 60D allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates. The EOS 60D Digital SLR camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 60D features a dedicated button to initiate live view for both video and still shooting. Once engaged, the same dedicated button will start and stop video recording.

Valuable Additional Features

Along with the adjustable LCD screen, the new EOS 60D DSLR features a class-leading 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and Canon's exclusive iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) giving it the power of a professional-level camera. Capable of capturing fast action, the 60D DSLR can shoot full resolution still images up to 5.3-frames per second (fps). The EOS 60D records its images and video clips to the photographer's choice of SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards.

The 9-point AF system on the new EOS 60D features f/5.6-sensitive cross-type focusing on all nine focusing points. Like the EOS 7D, the center AF point is a hybrid of standard cross-type and special diagonally-shaped "X" cross, with high-precision sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. Complementing the AF system, Canon's iFCL metering system, identical to that on the EOS 7D and Rebel T2i, takes color information into account and includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.

Photographers will enjoy shooting in low light thanks to the EOS 60D DSLR's wide ISO range from 100-6400 (adjustable in 1/3-step increments from ISO 100-6400 and expandable to 12,800) allowing it to capture beautiful images without flash during family milestone events such as wedding ceremonies, while still being equipped with a built-in pop-up flash for shooting the cake cutting ceremony and reception. The EOS 60D's pop-up flash features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of up to two groups of off-camera EOS Speedlites without the need for an external transmitter, providing an economical solution for multi-flash shoots.

Making accurate composition more convenient, the EOS 60D's optical viewfinder provides 96 percent coverage along with Canon's built-in single axis Electronic Level Display, which utilizes the exposure level scale below the picture area to let the photographer know when the camera is level. The Electronic Level Display is also visible on the camera's LCD screen in both Live View and Movie modes. An artificial horizon display illustrates horizontal roll, allowing the photographer to know when the camera is in a fixed level position. The entire camera has been durability-tested to 100,000 exposures making the EOS 60D a reliable as well as a powerful imaging tool.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers toward the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,099.00ⁱ. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,399.00ⁱⁱ. The Canon BG-E9 battery grip is scheduled to be available toward the end of September and sell at an estimated retail price of $270.00ⁱⁱⁱ.

WHAT TO DO?

2010-08-23T07:04:00.001-07:00

So, I have been working on my entries for the fair this year, and I just don't know for sure what to do. I still haven't even TAKEN the photos for the Kansas Wheat contest, and I am pretty sure that we are all done with the wheat harvest this year. I do like my sunflower photo A LOT, but I really don't know if it would be better in the nature category, or the pictorial color category. GAH! I also don't want to post ALL of my photo picks just yet, as I don't want them to be recognized as mine. So much to do and think about, so little time to get it all accomplished!
I did however decide to spread my wings this year and enter more than just the photo competition. I am putting in two entries for the jams and jellies category, and that will be a first! I wish my mom would enter one of her quilts - as they are just breathtaking! I swear I did not get her sewing talents at all. I tried once - oh what a mess! My mom can sew anything from curtains to prom dresses - and has! But, she's never entered any of it into the fair before. Maybe I can talk her into it this year! Next year I may try entering a few more things, but there never seems to be enough time to get it all to fit into my schedule. Today will be one of those days, as it's off to work for me! Have a great week everyone!

ALREADY DREAMING....

2010-08-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

School starts for the kids in the morning. Here I sit in a quiet house - no video games being played, no stereos cranked to the max. Just quiet. I don't like it very much. But - it gives me a chance to surf the net in peace for a while. I am already trying to plan out our spring break vacation, as I do need time to save the right amount of money for it. I want to do something different, something I know the kids will remember, and something that will take us to a place we have never seen before. Soooo I ended up stumbling upon a rental house for an Outer Banks vacation. It is in North Carolina, a place where none of us have ever been. The really different part is that is right on the North Atlantic Ocean! Talk about being able to collect some sea shells! I found a rental house called the "Seahawk," courtesy of Carolina Designs - that is just TO DIE FOR!! It is big enough for my whole family, plus any interested Canadian friends of mine, or my Floridian friends, or Michigan or Colorado friends... the list so goes on! Actually now that I think about it - it would be a completely awesome place for a "blogger reunion" of sorts!! It has TWO master suites FIVE bedrooms and FOUR and a half bathrooms, so I think it has plenty of room for everyone!! Ok - just check out some photos.....

Look at the kitchen! It's ginormous! We could save some cash just barbecuing and cooking our own meals - on the huge deck!! And this place has a hot tub and a pool, plus a wet bar. Helloooo margaritas!

I think it's pretty safe to say that there is plenty of room for a couple of families to get together and hang out for a week! Besides the awesome house itself, I have done a lot of looking into all the things there are to do and see - and oh my gosh - it would definitely be a place for all of us photographers to fall in love with. They have LIGHTHOUSES!! I have never seen a real one in person. I have always had the desire to photograph them, but never had the opportunity. Apparently there are a lot of historical ones around the area here. Not to forget the ocean and beach itself. It's just all right there!! I love the photo opps that the oceans bring, and this one would be so gorgeous. Imagine how beautiful the sunsets alone must be!! There is even an opportunity to see and photograph herds of wild mustangs! Holy moly already!! Ok - and dolphins - you can actually see dolphins!

My personal almost favorite I think would be the Elizabethan Gardens! It's really inexpensive, and even cheaper if we had a group tour. I do have a love for photographing flowers, and this place looks absolutely breathtaking! I'm telling ya - this would be so much fun! I also know there are many of us "back in the good ol' days bloggers" who would really like to meet up again. I say we set a date that everyone could get vacation time, and we try to make it happen! Let me know what ya'll think!! Maybe it doesn't have to be "just a daydream"!!

PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER

2010-08-13T05:17:00.001-07:00

My gosh it's difficult to get a photo of the meteor shower!! I don't think it was dark enough at my house, because I couldn't get anything but stars and clouds last night. I saw one with my eyeballs, but alas - couldn't capture it on the camera. For this photo however, I held the shutter open for about 45 seconds, and was able to capture the movement of the clouds coming in. It reminded me of the pretty lights you can see up north! Click the photo to look at it full size - it's just amazing how fast the earth is really moving - so fast even the little stars are blurred! I am hoping to try again tonight, and maybe I will be able to go out into the country to where it's darker.

Today is work for me, tomorrow also. I am finally finished with the school supply shopping, got the kids enrolled for school, and have picked up a few school clothes. I still have to find some men's running shorts for the boy for soccer, and hopefully a pair of cleats for his big ol' feet! That I know will be a challenge! I have no clue where in the world the summer went, but the kids start school again on Wednesday. I so wish I had the time and patience to just home school them sometimes. Unfortunately I think that requires math skills - and I don't have it in me. I do have to say that I absolutely adore my daughters' teacher, and I know she is going to have a blast. My sons' teacher is new, but she seems completely awesome as well! I think it is going to be a great year for the both of them. Oooh where does the time go???

HERE COMES THE SUN

2010-08-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

The sunflowers are abundant in my garden right now. I finally picked the big one, and saved all of the seeds for next year's planting. I hope they will be as big as their Daddy plant!! At it's peak, the head was a full 12 inches in diameter. Probably not big enough to enter in the State Fair, but very certainly the biggest one I have ever grown! I do think that next year, I am going to have to invest in some kind of water filter system for the garden. I think the city puts way too much chlorine in the water here, and it is adversely affecting my vegetables. Ideally I would have a well, but since I am in the city, those exist only in days gone by. Now if you are out in the country, they are so easy to come by - even my parents' old house had one. I had been saving rain water, but we haven't had but a few tiny drops for about a month it seems like. Now we get to deal with this ungodly heat - with no end in sight it seems. Gotta love Kansas.....

LOVELY FLOWER

2010-07-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

This is my second most prized flower in the garden this year. I don't even know the real name, but I assume it's some type of sunflower. I planted a bunch last year, and this one came on it's own this year. Last year each seed only produced one stem, one flower, but this one has flowers all over the same stem. I seem to have a lot of that this year.
Today it's back to work for me, then off to finish the school supply shopping. I only have a few more items to pick up for the little kids, and then of course they need clothing. My oldest however needs everything, but the big cost will be her books. Her scholarship has ended unfortunately, and now we have to buy them. I have heard that Amazon books is a good place to check out for college books, but we still have to wait for the school bookstore to open so we can take her schedule in and find out exactly which ones she needs. I don't know why the school won't just list them somewhere so people can choose where they want to purchase them from. I guess that's just another way they make money. Still - paying $150 for a book they will never open just gets my blood boiling. I had that happen to me a lot when I was finishing up college too.
What kills me even more is that this year, my 5th grader has to have ear buds and a 2 GB flash drive. I can maybe understand the ear buds, because gross - I don't want him to share those with others - but the flash drive? Come on! There isn't enough memory on the laptops for their stuff or what?? Enrollment has already gotten more expensive, and just for the two little ones it will cost me close to $150!! Then the school supplies, then school clothes, then...... it just never ends. Unlike summer. Gah!!

SELLING ART

2010-07-23T05:15:00.001-07:00

I got to thinking the other day that there has got to be a better way to sell our art. I ran across a website that does poster printing, and it looks pretty promising. If I could pick one image of mine that would just be extremely awesome enough to make into a giant poster, I would only have to sell 250 of them to make a $1000 dollar profit. BUT - what image would people pay $15 bucks for on a 20x30 poster? What could sell at least 250 prints? I know some years ago when the Hale-Bop Comet came through, a friend of mine got the most glorious photos of it, and one was made into a run of posters and sold. He had financial backing, and it was an awesome event as well, so it made sense. Of course all of the posters sold out too, so the backers of the project were happy. I would be going in without backers, so really I would have to sell all 250 posters before I even placed the print order. Has anyone out there ever done this before? Any ideas?

SELLING PRINTS AGAIN!

2010-07-15T15:45:00.001-07:00

I finally decided to get my hiney in gear, and start to offer prints for sale again! Another blogger friend of mine suggested I try RedBubble, so off to the left side, you can see the links to it. If you are interested in buying or selling, you should give it a shot! I like the idea that all I have to do is upload my work, and they take care of everything else. Quite honestly, I just don't have the cash to make prints, matte and frame them, then wait for them to sell. I love that they can do that for me if that is what people want done. Plus they even take care of shipping - which used to be nightmarish for me. No more praying that the piece arrives with the glass intact! Yay!

The picture up there started out as a fireworks shot I captured last weekend. It looked so much like a flower to me, that I had to go and mess with it a little bit. I really was pleased with what I came out with, and I am actually going to have this one printed for my living room! It matches my furniture - and that alone seems like a miracle! Let me know what you think!

FINALLY FIREWORKS

2010-07-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

Here's a sample of the shots I finally got last night! You have to click on the picture to make it bigger to see it fully. I took over a hundred shots during the festival, and most of them turned out! Usually I get one good one, one not so great one, and maybe one or two really really great ones out of the whole bunch. So this made me happy!
On Friday, a new portrait customer put down a $400 deposit on an $800 session I am doing next weekend!! I have never charged this much, nor actually gotten paid this much to do photos before. I have to say I'm a little nervous, but it should all be fine. My studio work is getting better all the time, and most of these portraits will be done outside. I put the money in a separate account, so I can use what I need to for ordering the prints. I hope that at least $200 will end up in my pocket when it's all said and done. Maybe then I can afford to pay for one of those diets that work and actually get somewhere on my quest for health!!
Hopefully I will be able to put some of these fireworks shots up on Redbubble for sale. I have no idea if there is a market for them or not, but it's always worth a try!

MY ANGEL KITTY IS STRANGE

2010-07-09T04:55:00.001-07:00

This is my odd little boy. Yes my Angel kitty. Lately we have gotten in the habit of taking our shoes off at the door because of all the rain and mud, and it seems my kitty has a strange fascination with them. He is actually fast asleep, which I don't understand, because you couldn't pay me to sleep with these peoples' funky shoes!! Another "issue" we have been dealing with - well, he tries to um, get it on with our girly kitty. Makes me wonder if we should get her some prenatal vitamins or something. We had them both fixed months ago, but they seem to REALLY like each other if ya know what I mean. I don't know how they do the animals, but I know in humans these things can come undone. If this happened for our kitties - the vet will definitely have to be finding good homes for some little baby kitties!!!

SCREAMING FOR IT TO STOP!

2010-07-07T05:29:00.001-07:00

Another art piece created a few years back. I was going through my portfolio and kept coming back to this one. Looking at it now I realize it looks a little bit like she's having a colonix, but the point was supposed to be that she was ripping her hair out. I suppose it's always open for interpretation eh?
I got a phone call from a customer who wants to schedule an $800 photo session next weekend!! I know most of that will be eaten up in prints, but it will be nice to make a couple hundred extra bucks to put into my pocket. The unexpected trip to Arkansas really killed my budget, so this will be tremendously helpful.
More rain is supposed to be here today, the last thing we need really. Instead of playing in the garden, I guess I will be cleaning house and going out for groceries. Yay.

FROM THE GARDEN

2010-07-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Again this year, it seems I have a lot of odd things happening in my garden. This giant sunflower appeared from the earth all on it's own. At her top height, we estimated her to be about nine feet tall!! Of course now she is drooping, as the weight of her flower is just too much for her to support. Makes me wonder if I should give her something for joint pain? LOL! I do feed my tomatoes fish oil pills that are supposed to be for humans.....
So anyhow, I also have a two headed sunflower, and a sunflower that has a new complete flower growing in every single crotch. That is something I have never ever seen before. It's almost like a bush at this point, and if all the flowers on it bloom, it will be amazing! I suppose it must have gotten mixed up somewhere in the DNA. I don't think I am going to try and roast any of the seeds from these beauties, rather I want to save them to plant next year. The giant one is just full of seeds, enough to make a fantastic border of sunflowers around the back fence! How gorgeous that would be!

FIREWORKS POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN

2010-07-05T05:19:00.001-07:00

Oh poo. Here in Central Kansas, our fireworks shows were all postponed due to the massive amounts of rain. I had hoped to be able to post a slide show of all the groovy photos I had planned to capture, but alas, it will have to wait a few more days. Instead, I tweaked this sunset picture I posted previously, into something I am so happy with! This one is getting printed and hung up on the wall here at home. My gramma even emailed me to ask if she could get a copy!! She said I should be selling these things, but I just haven't had it in me to try all that again. At the very least, I will be entering this one into the State Fair though.
The one great thing about all the postponements, is that now I get to attend THREE fireworks shows, instead of just one! Sterling, Kansas tonight, Hutchinson on Saturday night, and Burton, Kansas on Sunday night! That made it all just fine with me. It's still raining here this morning, sometimes pretty heavy. We are actually in a flood warning too. Fun Fun!!

PHOTOSHOOTS AND FIREWORKS!!

2010-07-01T03:39:00.001-07:00

It's that time of the year again!!! I am so excited, as today is the first day we are allowed to light up the fireworks here in town!! I had originally planned on busting out with the firecrackers at 8 in the morning, but now I actually have a photo shoot first thing this morning. Look out afterward though!! I can't decide what I love more - lighting the things on fire - or taking pictures of them! I do plan on photographing our cities big show on the 4th, and on the 3rd will be our family BBQ.

These are a couple of shots from last years' festivities. I was so sad to have missed an earlier opportunity to photograph fireworks, but it couldn't be helped. Life has gotten so busy these days with the kids out of school for the summer! By the time my body hits the mattress at night - I am sooooo exhausted! The garden takes up my early mornings most days, the kids fill the afternoons with summer movies and hours in the pool, and then of course there is work. I can't complain though - I have a pretty good tan going on, and life, for the most part, is good!!

Happy Canada Day and 4th Of July Ya'll!!!