tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52039927172924437512024-03-13T07:26:15.583-06:00Chronicles of Organized ChaosStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-9812458286992608032011-11-15T11:36:00.001-07:002011-11-15T11:38:21.837-07:00A New Adventure?<a href="http://blog.nicholev.com/2011/11/09/WorkshopGiveawayAndNewLowerPricing.aspx">{Life as ART} with NicholeV Photography</a><br />
<br />
Oh, so much fun could be had. It's always better to learn and grow.<br />
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~StaceyStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-10589531519455992682010-03-08T11:43:00.001-07:002010-03-08T11:46:15.525-07:00Take Down<p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE5uCqROI/AAAAAAAADyU/jErNk6x_7G4/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-4%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-4" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE6j8EnWI/AAAAAAAADyY/YSITJnXqaUQ/DJ%20Homedale-4_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="557" /></a> ‘Whah?”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">D.J. started wrestling in February and this past Saturday was his very first tournament.  </p> <p align="center">It started out early for weigh-in and then the waiting….  and the waiting began.  </p> <p align="center">So much waiting that our scrapper took a catnap on the floorboard of the bleachers.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE7IkhapI/AAAAAAAADyc/DEuBr6aErb4/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-5%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-5" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE8GvNtBI/AAAAAAAADyg/_70GmFlpQ9A/DJ%20Homedale-5_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="387" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">D.J.’s division was supposed to start at 11a.m. but was running a little late.  Two and a half hours late! </p> <p align="center">We we’re worried that we would have to leave before he had the chance to wrestle, </p> <p align="center">which would be quite unfortunate since we’ve sat for all those hours and he was so looking forward to his first match. </p> <p align="center">But luck would fall on our side and he was called to Mat  #1 within 15mns. of our deadline.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE8v1u2-I/AAAAAAAADyk/iTLCq_VvPiI/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-9%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-9" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-9" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE9bfjL4I/AAAAAAAADyo/rjdUAQE8xNo/DJ%20Homedale-9_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="639" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">The ref. wiped them down to make sure they didn’t have any slick-stuff, shook their hands, </p> <p align="center">opponents did the same and the game was on. </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE97PzkOI/AAAAAAAADys/y-o8SIuvHm4/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-10%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-10" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE-RefWRI/AAAAAAAADyw/zeHQmThuTIU/DJ%20Homedale-10_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="640" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Those first few tense moments to see who is going to shoot first, like gunslingers at high noon.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE_I98oLI/AAAAAAAADy0/ZwajwMv1nQQ/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-13%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-13" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-13" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VE_0DdGhI/AAAAAAAADy4/XPUCXi9LE9o/DJ%20Homedale-13_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="399" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">I’m not sure what exactly happened, but D.J. has him by the legs.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFAgfVZWI/AAAAAAAADy8/hN9QDBW0C7w/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-11%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-11" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFBH5xHlI/AAAAAAAADzA/sds5VueLWQc/DJ%20Homedale-11_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="399" /></a> </p> <p align="center">David, Devin, Miss Is and I were along side the mat cheering D.J. on.  The guy in blue is one of D.J.’s coaches.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-12" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-12" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFBwdW4rI/AAAAAAAADzE/rgByeubDkP8/DJ%20Homedale-12_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="398" /></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Nice lift.  The scoreboard in the background, 0-0.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFCVaJIQI/AAAAAAAADzI/tFaOSI6jgmc/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-19%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-19" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-19" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFDNP_VmI/AAAAAAAADzM/5ebzIpAJOvk/DJ%20Homedale-19_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="398" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-20" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-20" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFD0r095I/AAAAAAAADzQ/uEIEif841_o/DJ%20Homedale-20_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="399" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">D.J. is up three and round two is about to start.</p> <p align="center">  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFElhP0GI/AAAAAAAADzY/eq2v1x4tbf0/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-21%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-21" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-21" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFFIiO7SI/AAAAAAAADzc/9jpzwTiANbg/DJ%20Homedale-21_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="590" height="396" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I know it’s really blurry;  the action is fast and D.J. is working it.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFF2DZx6I/AAAAAAAADzg/dS8Nc9xPLk8/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-23%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-23" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-23" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFGov6t7I/AAAAAAAADzk/B7P5JO_DOgo/DJ%20Homedale-23_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="608" height="408" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">The red team scored a point for his escape.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFHI2qeWI/AAAAAAAADzo/smiAsB9rMNA/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-26%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-26" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-26" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFIFLoGVI/AAAAAAAADzs/lP4OiW5d6e8/DJ%20Homedale-26_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="406" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFI84zfLI/AAAAAAAADzw/z1bfyKmr4e4/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-29" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-29" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFJfD_4tI/AAAAAAAADz0/D3XfmA39TCU/DJ%20Homedale-29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="583" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Oh boy, that doesn’t look good.  Right now the score is 8-4 against D.J.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-30" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-30" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFKLH3K8I/AAAAAAAADz4/QolupioL7TA/DJ%20Homedale-30_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="587" /></p> <p>  </p> <p align="center">Uh-oh!  Come on D.J.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFKoFqXRI/AAAAAAAADz8/CmZVvFHWJ5k/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-43%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-43" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-43" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFLWmRC-I/AAAAAAAAD0A/RSMfoDuO0EA/DJ%20Homedale-43_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="378" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">In an instant D.J. turned it around. Hold’em!!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFMDQpneI/AAAAAAAAD0E/ThFsRXRuMZg/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-44%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-44" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-44" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFMhm7ybI/AAAAAAAAD0I/wY4drnqGAh0/DJ%20Homedale-44_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="368" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Still holding….</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFNbp9mhI/AAAAAAAAD0M/yCEJF90IgNI/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-45%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-45" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-45" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFOetUGKI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/xrx6oFUJL7Q/DJ%20Homedale-45_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="371" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Such a nail bitter!  Keep him down, keep him <strong>down</strong>.!!!</p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFOxKzl4I/AAAAAAAAD0U/PaRK29Yb6f4/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-46%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-46" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-46" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFPXGY3vI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/ZAmTvpEpcIg/DJ%20Homedale-46_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="379" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Now the ref is on the mat, making absolutely sure.   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="7">PIN!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="7"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFP6unepI/AAAAAAAAD0c/61oI633SXew/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-48%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-48" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-48" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFQiVxLfI/AAAAAAAAD0g/AfUQj1VqhfM/DJ%20Homedale-48_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="587" /></a><strong><font size="7"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">The ref closes the match by saying how he thought that was the best match he’s seen all day.</p> <p align="center">They all shake hands and then it happens.</p> <p align="center">  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFRF7JAWI/AAAAAAAAD0k/7cIpdgblTl8/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-51%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-51" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-51" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFSFMzOZI/AAAAAAAAD0o/6ic8dqDvYMM/DJ%20Homedale-51_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="602" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">D.J. is announced the winner!  Whhooo-hooooo, we’re all jumping up and down!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">The wrestlers shake the hands of their opponents' coaches and then their own. </p> <p align="center">His match coach said that he couldn’t believe that this was D.J.’s first match and that </p> <p align="center">with a last name like his, he’s gotta be a wrestler.  </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFSqx8s6I/AAAAAAAAD0s/0rI5ykCVh_E/s1600-h/DJ%20Homedale-54%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DJ Homedale-54" border="0" alt="DJ Homedale-54" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S5VFTiXbUII/AAAAAAAAD0w/vxeqs9irq7s/DJ%20Homedale-54_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="604" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">The winners sign their bout sheet.  You can see the score 4-8; without the pin, he would have lost.</p> <p align="center">The exciting match erased the painful day of waiting and the ride back home was a happy one.</p> <p align="center">If we didn’t already have plans that evening, we would have stayed so he could finish the </p> <p align="center">tournament.  Can’t wait for the next one!   Of course, this is all to stay in shape for football!  lol</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-18563785182154011272010-02-27T18:32:00.001-07:002010-02-27T18:50:43.359-07:00Zuppa!<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Hi, my name is Stacey and I’m an Olive Garden, Zuppa soup addict.</p> <p> </p> <p>Yeah, I love the stuff.  So much so that I found a recipe and tweaked it for the crockpot ‘cause that’s how I roll.  I made it today and it was DELICIOUS!  Four bowls later and I had to share the goodness.</p> <p> </p> <p>1 lb Italian sausage</p> <p>1 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers (I used a leftover packet from Dominoes)</p> <p>1 large onion, diced small</p> <p>4 T bacon (I used pre-cooked real bacon bits)</p> <p>2 T minced garlic</p> <p>10 cps (5 cans) chicken broth</p> <p>1 pint heavy cream</p> <p>1 lb Russett potatoes washed with skins on, thinly sliced</p> <p>1/4 bunch of kale diced</p> <p> </p> <p>1)  Bake the sausage until cooked, drain grease and put in the fridge.</p> <p>2) Sautee onions, garlic and crushed red peppers until onions are clear then chuck in the crockpot.</p> <p>3) Pour in 10 cups chicken broth, toss in bacon bits & sliced potatoes.</p> <p>4) Cook on low until potatoes are soft.  (about two hours give or take)</p> <p>5) Add heavy cream, diced kale and sausage.  Stir. Heat through.</p> <p>6) Serve will class, devour with wild abandon.  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The fam ate it all in one day, it’s that good.  Try it!</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-56721552189613646272010-02-22T14:00:00.001-07:002010-02-22T14:00:56.728-07:00Wild Kingdom<p> </p> <p align="center">Feeling a little frisky this Valentines Day, Spike and Lucky shared the love. </p> <p align="center">It was like watching an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and I just happened to have my camera ready to document the affection.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwGUezVwI/AAAAAAAADsc/4b1p5AQ3a-E/s1600-h/DSC_4655%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4655" border="0" alt="DSC_4655" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwHJX-bTI/AAAAAAAADsg/Vay5asAJvSs/DSC_4655_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="322" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Like any respectable, gentleman-like duel, the two warriors bow before the carnage begins.  </p> <p align="center">I couldn’t help but laugh watching them play – yes, they are playing.  </p> <p align="center">Lucky dog does this spinning-flipping thing around Spike to taunt him.  </p> <p align="center">Spike is like a lion on the African plains taking down a weeks worth of dinner at a time.  </p> <p align="center">Check out the claws on the hinny, or Spikes teeth sinking in.  </p> <p align="center">Lucky gets is jabs in too, what goes around comes around and in the end all is well. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">*Click on photo to see full-size.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwH-ib6KI/AAAAAAAADsk/F5BjYStCfdE/s1600-h/DSC_4667%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4667" border="0" alt="DSC_4667" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwJWcrsuI/AAAAAAAADso/ce3nVtOM5-g/DSC_4667_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwKN4ewZI/AAAAAAAADss/yMV4qrdj6MQ/s1600-h/DSC_4630%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4630" border="0" alt="DSC_4630" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwKwyvtAI/AAAAAAAADsw/zxLDKJeth5k/DSC_4630_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwLjgn57I/AAAAAAAADs0/vRcGvKq2OvQ/s1600-h/DSC_4631%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4631" border="0" alt="DSC_4631" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwMOeAsrI/AAAAAAAADs4/MKMuowgmtPg/DSC_4631_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwM0SuJDI/AAAAAAAADs8/vNBmV_iU8so/s1600-h/DSC_4633%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; 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border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4658" border="0" alt="DSC_4658" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwfbsMMoI/AAAAAAAADu4/Xn4CAsvm4fA/DSC_4658_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwgVZJ8eI/AAAAAAAADu8/wVObZcSsoDg/s1600-h/DSC_4665%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4665" border="0" alt="DSC_4665" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwgwDIRmI/AAAAAAAADvA/Tc19llS1ZnY/DSC_4665_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4LwhfQIzeI/AAAAAAAADvE/puXRRHMYO_k/s1600-h/DSC_4666%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4666" border="0" alt="DSC_4666" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S4Lwh69YKEI/AAAAAAAADvI/UNEnTeR5EnM/DSC_4666_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-15674383731794234942010-02-04T17:08:00.001-07:002010-02-04T17:08:23.637-07:00Today…<p> </p> <p>Seems I’ve been MIA from blogging, though the time I’ve spent on Blogger has made my head spin like Linda Blair’s character Regan in The Exorcist.  January was jumping – dumping –  at least it seemed like it.  So, here’s a month in a nutshell.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>cleaned out the Farmers rooms</li> <li>cleaned out the game closet</li> <li>cleaned out the pantry</li> <li>cleaned out the cupboard, drawers and every other kitchen nook and cranny</li> <li>cleaned out the laundry room</li> <li>cleaned out the master room  (finally got rid of three boxes that sat on the floor, unpacked for the last *cough* four years!)</li> <li>cleaned out the master bath and nearly lost my life.  (Not really, though the fumes –good and bad – were enough to do me in.)</li> <li>made six, packed bus loads to various charities</li> <li>lived without a functioning dishwasher and yet remain married</li> <li>made homemade white chicken chili – soaked beans and all</li> <li>field trip with Devin to NNU for a science fair (way cool)</li> <li>field trip with D.J. to NNU to see the Boise Philharmonic perform (way cool too)</li> <li>had a baby session to shoot, edit and deliver</li> <li>met with the couple that I’ve been hired to shoot their wedding</li> <li>lost a lousy 8 lbs.</li> <li>finished the 2009 fed taxes</li> <li>asked to be a LIFE mentor </li> <li>organizing the next ward activity (Circus themed)</li> <li>went to an Enrichment that I didn’t have anything to do with</li> <li>PTA stuff</li> <li>played with Lucky (yes, we’re taking good care of him!)</li> <li>tossed my cookies and then some (in no way do I want to go “bulimic”)</li> <li>sick Farmers too  (Miss Is is home today)</li> <li>Miss Is was awarded a Positive People award for being an excellent student</li> <li>fed the missionaries</li> <li>went to a wedding reception</li> <li>lunch date with hubs at Olive Garden where I pigged out on Zuppa and salad</li> <li>custom designed my “stuff”</li> <li>caught up on LOST  (missed all of last season and I’m still just as confuzeded)</li> <li>got a new ‘do and colors too</li> <li>felt guilty for the past 30+ days for posting jack-diddly-do-daugh, noth’n.</li> </ul> <p>Hmm, that sums it up.  Hopefully February will be much better.  I can’t tell you how relieved I feel about unloading all the extra stuff; the house feels cleaner even though there are still dirty socks and Lego's everywhere.  Getting close to “launching” officially.  Today I’ve been fighting with the devil of a registrar and blogger; they don’t like each other very much and the tech guys helping out must have a voodoo doll just for me, I’m sure.  Bridals are coming up – excited about that and praying that this yucky weather will improve, that the grass with magically go green or it dumps a fresh blanket of snow.   Making custom V-day cards for the Farmers.  I made Devin’s last night in about 30mins, including an on-location shoot!   I really like how they turned out!  With any luck I won’t catch whatever Miss Is has brought home and will be able to keep on keep’n on.   And just like Em, I feel like every post needs a picture… granted, mine couldn’t be as cool as hers even if I had walked on the moon.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S2thdGCkjbI/AAAAAAAADm0/3i4vhAXnYZM/s1600-h/Update%202%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Update 2" border="0" alt="Update 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S2thdvOavDI/AAAAAAAADm4/RiLZTg36bMY/Update%202_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="413" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Me and my new ‘do. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">The Farmers watched Willy Wonka the other day (in my wee-little mind there is only one Wonka, Mr. Gene Wilder) while I was cleaning out the kitchen and I got to sneak a peek between cupboards.  This picture is inspired by the lovely blueberry tint Miss Violet Beauregarde takes on because of her impatience.  We have a lot in common, Miss B and I.  “…a mop of curly brown hair” and “talks very fast.”  I’m not sure about being a 10’ tall, 2000 lb blueberry, but some days it feels like it.  Farmers… Ooompa Loompas?  Maybe not.</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-75779578461347408862010-01-12T16:43:00.001-07:002010-01-12T16:43:40.415-07:00Drip Drip Drop<p align="center"> </p> <p> </p> <p>Happy New Year… twelve days late.  I’ve kicked off  twenty-ten with a vengeance against household chaos.  Not that I could ever eliminate the crazy altogether, but I can at least dampen the blow.  Three bus loads of stuff have been dropped off to charities and the slow drip of tangible organization is making its way into the bedrooms of three Farmers.  Everything has its place –even my sanity.  Looking toward the spring and summer, I know I’ll be just as busy as ever (which is very good) and the “mommy-maid” chores will only get more difficult to keep up with.  It’s been hanging like a lead balloon over my head for the past few months and I’m tired of waiting for it to come crashing down so my new philosophy on the subject is “better now than later cow”.  Yes, as in “Don’t have a cow, Mom.  It’s not that messy.”   We’ll see how the up keep goes.  In the meantime, I’ll seek and destroy the chaos of the kitchen, pantry, master bedroom and closet to finish my “house of order”.</p> <p> </p> <p>Today, I didn’t get so much done.  It’s a rainy day, errands had to be made and I lacked the breath to dive headlong into the cupboards.  The sun and the Murphy’s oil will come out tomorrow, red-headed orphans or not. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JDtMsWMI/AAAAAAAADk8/Wq7ifTD-79s/s1600-h/Raindrops-1%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raindrops-1" border="0" alt="Raindrops-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JEYXCOwI/AAAAAAAADlA/nrdXwlM0UHQ/Raindrops-1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="365" /></a></p> <p></p> <p align="center">f/5.6  shutter:  1/640   Exp: +.33  ISO 3200</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Raindrops on the window.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JFCCcdCI/AAAAAAAADlE/cDnzTeJiFSc/s1600-h/Raindrops-2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raindrops-2" border="0" alt="Raindrops-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JF5Jre_I/AAAAAAAADlI/5u9rNPTwNIQ/Raindrops-2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="349" /></a>f/5.0   shutter:  1/1000  Exp:  +.33  ISO 3200</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Splash down on the cement.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JGhOgS8I/AAAAAAAADlM/Offy1NTWsus/s1600-h/Raindrops-7%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raindrops-7" border="0" alt="Raindrops-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JHcWKRdI/AAAAAAAADlQ/YeF86IN8OFA/Raindrops-7_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="center">f/5.3  shutter:  1/2000  exp: +.33  ISO 3200</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JIdRR_FI/AAAAAAAADlU/M7Uxh18j1gY/s1600-h/Raindrops-9%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raindrops-9" border="0" alt="Raindrops-9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JJBqzGyI/AAAAAAAADlY/L4zZUVF2IY8/Raindrops-9_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="338" /></a></p> <p align="center">f/5.3  shutter:  1/2000  exp: +.33  ISO 3200</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JKAicSZI/AAAAAAAADlc/oMa5xzdQADg/s1600-h/Raindrops-3%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Raindrops-3" border="0" alt="Raindrops-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/S00JK-q2lJI/AAAAAAAADlg/iwvpoOemsTs/Raindrops-3_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="345" /></a> </p> <p align="center">f/5.3  shutter:  1/1000  exp:  +.33  ISO  3200</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-42324595463644527012009-12-29T21:58:00.001-07:002009-12-29T21:59:12.133-07:00The Ree’son I’m So Giddy<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Okay… I don’t even know where to begin other than just admitting – straight up – that I’m a fan-girl.  A big PW fan-girl.  If you’re in the know, then you know who I’m talking about.  If not, you will be.  </p> <p> </p> <p>I’m not much for entering in whatever flavor of the moment contests or drawings the world-wide web has to offer, that’s not me.  There is always a borderline healthy and yet sometimes tragic veil of doubt swirling like water vapor off of a piping hot cup of cocoa in whatever I do.  The space between humility and the ugly truth is hard to find.  It’s good, it’s not-so-good, better try again, give it up and girl… this just sucks.  </p> <p> </p> <p>I’ve been really busy on the photography side of things, sessions that I haven’t posted are backlogged and will probably not make it – at least on this site.  There has been a recent upward swing of downs lately that I was really lost in the thick of it, a shower room of doubt and frustration if you will.  Prints gone poopy, calibration chaos and enough techno-acronym babble to make the opthamalically blessed go cross-eyed with a slight tick of Tourettes. </p> <p> </p> <p>I happened to be in a que sera, sera attitude the other night and while visiting one of my usual haunts I decided to send in two submissions to PW’s Holiday Bokeh  photo pool knowing that my two little shots would be in a virtual sea of thousands of wonderful work I only hope of someday attaining.  “There, it is done” and I went on my merry way. </p> <p> </p> <p>Saturday evening I got a chance to sneak away and peek online.  This is what I found.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Untitled-2" border="0" alt="Untitled-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Szrd7X0HDJI/AAAAAAAADj0/t73sJYI4y5Y/Untitled-2_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="823" height="504" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Szrd7-2I8yI/AAAAAAAADj4/hzfbuDf2Jso/s1600-h/Untitled-2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Untitled-2" border="0" alt="Untitled-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Szrd8tgt_RI/AAAAAAAADj8/IqALJhHHzCA/Untitled-2%5B21%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="811" height="185" /> </a></p> <p> </p> <p>It was an after Christmas, Christmas present.  Miz commented on my picture…  wow!  Miz, PW’s photo cohort and snap-happy extraordinaire.  I couldn’t believe it!  I love her style and practical, vanilla explanations of spumoni that any ice cream lover can understand and appreciate without the use of an “Everyday Italian” dictionary.  Wow… </p> <p> </p> <p>This evening I got another unexpected wow.  WOW!  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Szrd9Dx3dzI/AAAAAAAADkA/joY3gI_64O8/s1600-h/Untitled-1%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Untitled-1" border="0" alt="Untitled-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Szrd-bG9lDI/AAAAAAAADkE/zmZgIg9zVnA/Untitled-1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="832" height="513" /></a> </p> <p> That’s me!!  On <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/" target="_blank">Ree’s</a> site, The Pioneer Woman herself,  flanked by a gingerbread boy and sleeping beauty.  My leaf bokeh I took in the backyard after our sledding trip.  Just a snap and other than the fact I liked it, I never thought anything more.  Utterly breathtaking!  No way.  <strong>NO WAY</strong>….  See, I’m giddy.  Full-on, valley girl, OMGosh, about to burst giddy.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Just thought I’d tell you…  </p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-28024558502995917912009-12-28T12:11:00.001-07:002009-12-28T12:11:45.571-07:00A Little Rosy<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzkC5jzb4BI/AAAAAAAADiw/eifA1VHtM8w/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-1%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Snow Day-1" border="0" alt="Snow Day-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzkC6Spe4jI/AAAAAAAADi4/QNziMNQa8J8/Snow%20Day-1_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" height="384" /></a> </p> <p>This year I didn’t seem to get the gumption nor the time to bake all the usual goodies that I usually do.  Sure, my thighs appreciate it, but that’s about it.  No Almond Roca cookies, no sugar cookies, no fudge or Russian tea cakes.  Forget the home-made hot buttered rum mix, almond joys, toffee, lemon and seven layer bars – just forget it.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Earlier this year I picked up a couple of rosette irons and molds in their original, 1960’s something box with instructions and various recipes.  I remember going over to Aunt Karen and Uncle Gordon’s Christmas parties and having these and other yummy treats.  (Fried mushrooms, prawns, zucchini, cheese sticks and the list goes on.)   In fact, I remember getting a “grown-up” truffle on year…   shh, don’t tell. </p> <p> </p> <p>Christmas was officially packed up and in the attic by six o’clock in the evening of the 26th and this morning I was bound and determined to get some very neglected house work and laundry done, that is until I walked in the pantry and saw the faded boxes.  Chef Tell, a proud user of Nordicware products pictured on the front – afro and all, whispered in my ear, “Laundry sucks, make cookies instead.”   Curse you Chef Tell.  I made the cookies.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Honestly, I thought it was a good way to remember Uncle Gordon who passed away this fall. Devin enjoyed tapping the stuck-on cookies off the mold and all the Farmers devoured them with or without the sugar.  I think I might have to add them to my Christmas goodie repertoire next year.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzkC7fvTQpI/AAAAAAAADi8/Dftbm-1usDs/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-2%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Snow Day-2" border="0" alt="Snow Day-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzkC8FrvCqI/AAAAAAAADjA/s9Lyy5HMOPw/Snow%20Day-2_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="391" /></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-2806937755057490482009-12-25T15:11:00.002-07:002009-12-25T15:15:06.761-07:00Merry Christmas<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Last weekend we had the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake for the family Christmas party. We stopped by Temple Square to show the Farmers the sights.  D.J.’s favorite part was the “hall of orange” where we walked through a tunnel of orange lighted trees on the other side of the Assembly Hall.  Devin really liked the Tabernacle, “the big, open area and old pipe organ.  All the old wood and old wavy glass too.”  I think he liked the old things! lol  Miss Is liked listening to the Nativity Story and seeing the manger scene (though she and I sat on a bench yards away.  Is said she wanted to sit, but looked a little teary-eyed to tell the truth) and Jesus echoing in the clouds.  (Translation; the Christus.)</p> <p> </p> <p>I haven’t really taken pictures of lights before, however, I think I’d like to try again.  Should’a, would’a, could’a had my tripod, but didn’t and it shows.  Talk about a lessons in aperture and shutter speed.  Oh well, c’est la vie.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks Cindy, George, Robin, Miss Abs and the rest of the grown-ups for hanging out with us.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4UhmdJNI/AAAAAAAADig/6mHL3Ncjxk4/s1600-h/Temple%203%5B4%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4VsIbs6I/AAAAAAAADhc/Y9JdsilFcq4/s1600-h/Temple%201%20WM%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 1 WM" border="0" alt="Temple 1 WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4WTm98-I/AAAAAAAADhg/Y79PkzOaji0/Temple%201%20WM_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="352" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4XXMKzZI/AAAAAAAADhk/XmIMxanZby0/s1600-h/Temple%205%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 5" border="0" alt="Temple 5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4YJ89mJI/AAAAAAAADho/YG4lG0h0n24/Temple%205_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="352" /></a>  <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4ZD2YILI/AAAAAAAADhs/wgbqtB7dbcE/s1600-h/Temple%206%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 6" border="0" alt="Temple 6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4Z_lM4ZI/AAAAAAAADhw/hfE3Xnwz09E/Temple%206_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="358" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4aoqRXdI/AAAAAAAADh0/ewUuMver3BY/s1600-h/Temple%2013%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 13" border="0" alt="Temple 13" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4bbALnmI/AAAAAAAADh4/pmyzehCKA0g/Temple%2013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="362" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4UhmdJNI/AAAAAAAADio/kMo7iImFYCI/s1600-h/Temple%203%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 3" border="0" alt="Temple 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4cj9GbfI/AAAAAAAADiE/KvI-GsTGjmU/Temple%203_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="610" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4dZFS7oI/AAAAAAAADiI/Ad9DmF87FAE/s1600-h/Temple%207%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 7" border="0" alt="Temple 7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4ebY0qfI/AAAAAAAADiM/nsiM1cxsY7A/Temple%207_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="606" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4e81ygoI/AAAAAAAADiQ/THU1Ls4IdUs/s1600-h/Temple%2018%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Temple 18" border="0" alt="Temple 18" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4fhsQHSI/AAAAAAAADiU/4LTqAZQTTEY/Temple%2018_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="607" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4gUCyG9I/AAAAAAAADiY/-jvMSeVhgFY/s1600-h/Temple16%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Temple16" border="0" alt="Temple16" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzU4hpvk-pI/AAAAAAAADic/9rWVcTeyjUs/Temple16_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="599" /></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-29455462077211990732009-12-22T16:39:00.003-07:002009-12-22T16:51:18.750-07:00It’s Snow Fun<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYKyrEPsI/AAAAAAAADdA/f_oefWdZHu8/s1600-h/A%20Snow%20Day-43%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="A Snow Day-43" border="0" alt="A Snow Day-43" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYLsrFPeI/AAAAAAAADdE/fYqkXxP1cXQ/A%20Snow%20Day-43_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="564" height="379" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYMYYYSsI/AAAAAAAADdI/FLyRP2oma2o/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-13%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-13" border="0" alt="Snow Day-13" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYM3zTO0I/AAAAAAAADdM/jWjobX4Bqa8/Snow%20Day-13_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="500" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYNq8bIJI/AAAAAAAADhA/lC-50q5zP44/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-23%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYOAMvmpI/AAAAAAAADdU/vee54A_z1pk/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-10%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-10" border="0" alt="Snow Day-10" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYOt7d6NI/AAAAAAAADdY/PHTsPyGv36A/Snow%20Day-10_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="510" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYNq8bIJI/AAAAAAAADhA/lC-50q5zP44/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-23%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYPVUgMwI/AAAAAAAADdc/U4-mFmNx9vM/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-24%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-24" border="0" alt="Snow Day-24" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYQEdardI/AAAAAAAADdg/ralw-lUh_WM/Snow%20Day-24_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="389" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYQmnm4wI/AAAAAAAADdk/1CINDPvouxg/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-15%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-15" border="0" alt="Snow Day-15" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYRYkzm4I/AAAAAAAADdo/gcqLJPkwFuQ/Snow%20Day-15_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="511" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYSDB7sCI/AAAAAAAADds/XkuPR1ChiYE/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-17%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-17" border="0" alt="Snow Day-17" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYS942xaI/AAAAAAAADdw/kPzJgsMM_X8/Snow%20Day-17_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="381" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYTvveZAI/AAAAAAAADd0/XS3FBWusaE8/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-20%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-20" border="0" alt="Snow Day-20" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYUKdOkNI/AAAAAAAADd4/yHiuLoI9Ueo/Snow%20Day-20_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="365" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYVDh4gVI/AAAAAAAADd8/84IpQ0-ipaU/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-21%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-21" border="0" alt="Snow Day-21" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYWCZvktI/AAAAAAAADeA/ADSrJCmJj-g/Snow%20Day-21_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="380" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYW2zk4SI/AAAAAAAADeE/I1N0tOqjY2U/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-22%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-22" border="0" alt="Snow Day-22" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYXfIK1II/AAAAAAAADeI/scxYwUO_6S0/Snow%20Day-22_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="378" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-23" border="0" alt="Snow Day-23" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYYYIcI2I/AAAAAAAADeM/TcpnGOnJppU/Snow%20Day-23_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="372" /></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYNq8bIJI/AAAAAAAADhE/XIRvUeofTpA/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-23%5B6%5D.jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYZtGQcUI/AAAAAAAADeY/foXY9oVSoas/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-25%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-25" border="0" alt="Snow Day-25" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYbIfotCI/AAAAAAAADec/K5w4OCWDh0E/Snow%20Day-25_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="376" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYcHyeb5I/AAAAAAAADeg/DSDHiTm4KXg/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-11%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-11" border="0" alt="Snow Day-11" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYcwZM3pI/AAAAAAAADek/9a-ldczMSEQ/Snow%20Day-11_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="376" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYd7np9wI/AAAAAAAADeo/DcibZxwFdmg/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-12%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-12" border="0" alt="Snow Day-12" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYeuch5mI/AAAAAAAADes/YIZle85eA88/Snow%20Day-12_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="377" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYfQvtUFI/AAAAAAAADew/tfcVuRAIOIc/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-3%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-3" border="0" alt="Snow Day-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYfyza8dI/AAAAAAAADe0/WWsgjdugWNU/Snow%20Day-3_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="568" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYgh1eaGI/AAAAAAAADe4/uEGtcIAXUq0/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-33%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-33" border="0" alt="Snow Day-33" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYhnfLYnI/AAAAAAAADe8/zKX586opYYI/Snow%20Day-33_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="476" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYiI3NQFI/AAAAAAAADfA/vFsNLrV9zUU/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-46%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-46" border="0" alt="Snow Day-46" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYimblTqI/AAAAAAAADfE/2hgr0bNj1sM/Snow%20Day-46_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYjHTtALI/AAAAAAAADfI/SrzfkGwmiJk/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-26%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-26" border="0" alt="Snow Day-26" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYjui4lNI/AAAAAAAADfM/LQBzHbguRZQ/Snow%20Day-26_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYkIa3M0I/AAAAAAAADfQ/C_NoXsBDtM0/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-28%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-28" border="0" alt="Snow Day-28" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYkm82p3I/AAAAAAAADfU/fG8R0Eaeolw/Snow%20Day-28_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYlCTLR5I/AAAAAAAADfY/kcyAyBZIigQ/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; 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BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-32" border="0" alt="Snow Day-32" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYoKRULLI/AAAAAAAADf0/Ls8__HuhBSM/Snow%20Day-32_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="170" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYoe4pWXI/AAAAAAAADf4/SWqTFBAO_HI/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-35%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-35" border="0" alt="Snow Day-35" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYomd8-LI/AAAAAAAADf8/JGryt-aSdKc/Snow%20Day-35_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYpdUIZsI/AAAAAAAADgA/q2XL83f1CU4/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-36%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-36" border="0" alt="Snow Day-36" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYp78N0gI/AAAAAAAADgE/RjI5SqCxW3k/Snow%20Day-36_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="214" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYqUS2waI/AAAAAAAADgI/ba6llRRfwpg/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-37%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-37" border="0" alt="Snow Day-37" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYqgKFxkI/AAAAAAAADgM/NsxqL-30q3I/Snow%20Day-37_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="220" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYrHGsAOI/AAAAAAAADgQ/cSiY7IW60e4/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-38%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-38" border="0" alt="Snow Day-38" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYrqpr-hI/AAAAAAAADgU/At_36rIxaSw/Snow%20Day-38_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYsILZihI/AAAAAAAADgY/9LjnjbE2gUw/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-40%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-40" border="0" alt="Snow Day-40" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYsmz13tI/AAAAAAAADgc/ooOE11P3daU/Snow%20Day-40_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="238" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYtcmWEQI/AAAAAAAADgg/raKMjv-Z3lY/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-41%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-41" border="0" alt="Snow Day-41" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYtoK-vQI/AAAAAAAADgk/YET8sBCn0mc/Snow%20Day-41_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYuZopcjI/AAAAAAAADgo/nvMiRdQAq2o/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-42%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-42" border="0" alt="Snow Day-42" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYuwIjvxI/AAAAAAAADgs/ipl0QbVe_UQ/Snow%20Day-42_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYvT6AUBI/AAAAAAAADgw/wc5ARo1Y_n0/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-44%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-44" border="0" alt="Snow Day-44" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYvhGQ94I/AAAAAAAADg0/fTphiEE6WCM/Snow%20Day-44_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYwYOjkfI/AAAAAAAADg4/lhDNnH2dEZA/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-45%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-45" border="0" alt="Snow Day-45" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFYwxpTYKI/AAAAAAAADg8/Jci8s-G7MYQ/Snow%20Day-45_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFaPo80JJI/AAAAAAAADhQ/-GmxVBer_Sw/s1600-h/Snow%20Day-53%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Snow Day-53" border="0" alt="Snow Day-53" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SzFaQwp2rQI/AAAAAAAADhU/lKfxMjgK__w/Snow%20Day-53_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="720" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-19488488326558192882009-12-15T08:12:00.001-07:002009-12-15T08:16:21.915-07:00Braces<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyenbNArYmI/AAAAAAAADc4/8h8sayV3Q1g/s1600-h/DJ-2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DJ-2" border="0" alt="DJ-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Syenb9R1b1I/AAAAAAAADc8/qnDRiodTcL8/DJ-2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="653" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Last week D.J. started his journey in Orthodontics.  Even though he doesn’t have a full set of permanent teeth in yet, we’re working on what he does.  They’ve moved so much in a week.  D.J. is very diligent about brushing his bling and picks a song from one of my playlists to brush to.  Good boy!   He is back to eating all the stuff he’s used to except, of course, the no-no’s like apples, popcorn, gum, chewy candy and the list goes on.  Since this picture was taken, I’ve been making him carry around a tube of Chapstick. lol</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-80937213358573568432009-12-11T17:19:00.001-07:002009-12-11T22:30:28.213-07:00She Can Be Taught: Part Deux<p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhhyYxUhI/AAAAAAAADcM/Q79yo4MWF_U/s1600-h/untitled-7%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="untitled-7" border="0" alt="untitled-7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhi9g9KQI/AAAAAAAADcQ/TqYIVfow74g/untitled-7_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="556" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">My very good friend <a href="http://lorayoung.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lora and her family</a> came to visit Thanksgiving weekend.  It was an overnight stop at our bed & breakfast, but we made the best of the short time we had.  What did we do?  Chat and crochet.</font></p> <p><font size="4">  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://chronicles-of-organized-chaos.blogspot.com/2008/10/she-can-be-taught.html" target="_blank">It was last October that Mrs. P taught me how to crochet .</a>  I learned how to chain and started making a scarf and that’s where it ended until now.  These flowers are so cute that I had to learn.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Doing things the hard way right out of the gate, I decided to be an “over-achiever” and do two colors.  Fact is, I messed it up so badly that I made it into a “carnation” to cover up the boo-boo’s.  This wasn’t the teachers fault… it’s all me.</font></p> <p><font size="4">  </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">You can dress them up with buttons or other little do-dads of your choosing.  I hot-glued the brown one (I made this afternoon) to an alligator clippie thing so Miss Is can wear it as a barrette or on her hat.  (She made her hat herself, by the way.)</font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">The more you do, the better you get – I still need to make more!  And just in case you want to make them too, I’ve included the recipe below.  Happy Stitching!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhjuI8E6I/AAAAAAAADcU/2u8ciSrOAgo/s1600-h/untitled-8%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="untitled-8" border="0" alt="untitled-8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhkpTmCgI/AAAAAAAADcY/3Wcxg8x0wGs/untitled-8_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="555" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><em><font size="4">Irish Rose Instructions:</font></em></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>Using size H hook, chain 4.  Join the end to the first chain with a slip stitch to form a ring.</em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>Round 1:  (single crochet in the ring, chain 3) six times.  Join the last stitch to the first single crochet with a slip stitch.</em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>Round 2:  (single crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochets, chain 1, single crochet) in each spacecreated by the chain 3.</em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>Round 3:  Now you begin working in the back of the flower you have started creating.  (single crochet around the first spoke, then chain 4) 6 times.  Join last stitch to first with a slip stitch.</em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>Round 4:  (single crochet, chain 1, 5 double crochets, chain 1, single crochet) in each space created by the chain of 4.  Join last stitch to first with a slip stitch and weave in the ends.</em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="4"><em>You may add another layer of petals by repeating Round 3 increasing the number of stitches in the chain by one.</em></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">And when I’m not making flowers, my latest project is a skullcap beanie.  Around and around and around I go…  when will I stop, I don’t know!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhlMW_YXI/AAAAAAAADcc/HVKXqOk2NFw/s1600-h/untitled-5%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="untitled-5" border="0" alt="untitled-5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhl9Ik4SI/AAAAAAAADcg/zkTRFvJ5A9I/untitled-5_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="386" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Since we’re on the subject, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite places/things.</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">I really like this one, it’s called the </font><a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">Crochet Spot</font></a><font size="4">... she's young and trendy-cool.  Most sites I've come across smell like Grandma, not that it's bad, but the sites are hard to navigate (old-skool web, single links etc.) and a Barbie doll toilet paper cozy isn't exactly on my high priority list.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://www.crochetspot.com/images/header.jpg" /></a></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Crochet Couture; that's what this one is all about.  It's aptly named.  <a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/" target="_blank">Stitch Diva</a></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhm1AuQHI/AAAAAAAADck/dBCXYcdN5s4/s1600-h/KnitCardiShawlhomeGraphic24.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="KnitCardiShawlhomeGraphic2" border="0" alt="KnitCardiShawlhomeGraphic2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhngKilhI/AAAAAAAADco/RcHZijU0xnc/KnitCardiShawlhomeGraphic2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="164" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">And if I'm good enough <font size="4"><a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-057" target="_blank">to ooze with sass and style</a>, I’d make these… Don’t you love them?</font></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhohIyfKI/AAAAAAAADcs/dXgi7H8MYS0/s1600-h/buckethats5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="buckethats" border="0" alt="buckethats" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhqb1-1nI/AAAAAAAADcw/fKbelSSRGlc/buckethats_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="406" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Okay, I fell in love again - I haven't fallen this much since learning how to do an axel on ice skates -  LOVE THESE!!!!!!!  I have to get good enough to make one, I just have to. So awesome!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-057" target="_blank"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-034" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hairpinlace" border="0" alt="hairpinlace" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SyLhrBzteFI/AAAAAAAADc0/rLunqDjP34c/hairpinlace7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="412" /></a> </font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Do you crochet?  What is your favorite thing to make?  Will you share?  Link a picture of your favorite project in the comments!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-33848818988481416772009-11-24T14:48:00.001-07:002009-11-24T14:49:10.343-07:00Lil’ Pilgrim<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwxUoLQlPnI/AAAAAAAADb8/fnMcHOeOtVk/s1600-h/untitled%20%281%20of%201%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="untitled (1 of 1)" border="0" alt="untitled (1 of 1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwxUozw3zJI/AAAAAAAADcA/eNiMrsb5bSk/untitled%20%281%20of%201%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="466" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Today was the First Grade First Thanksgiving Feast.  Miss Is’ class were Pilgrims and she was bound and determined to look like a real one, so much so that it sparked quite an argument this morning.  </p> <p> </p> <p>“Mom!  I need a black skirt, white apron, black shirt with a tall white thing around my neck and a hat.”  As she threw the black tights I had just tossed her back at me.  </p> <p>“You can wear what I can find in your closet or you can go just in your purple panties for all I care.”  I returned the tights along with a black and white checkered sheath dress with equal gusto. </p> <p>“Can’t you go to the store and get me a black skirt?”   Maddy’s arms were folded across her bare chest; dress and tights on the floor.  </p> <p>“Absolutely not."  I’m trying to adopt the “regal” pose instead of just letting the smoke and flames shoot directly out my eyes, ears and nose.  “Don’t worry, you’ll look as pilgrimly as I can make you, but I’m not going to the store.”</p> <p>“Fine.”</p> <p>“Fine.” I started gathering one of the legs of the tights together to help her get them on.  “Get over here please or we will be late and I’d like to figure out a hat for you before we have to go.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Geez-Louise, Sis!  I dug out a white pillowcase, folded over the side and wrapped it around her head after a quickly giving her some braided piggy’s.  The end result was not too bad if I do say so myself.  Of course it wasn’t the over-achiever, full on Mayflower costume, but I worked.  She was happy, I was happy and off to school we went.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwxUpdqkGeI/AAAAAAAADcE/fNxKpzwzFy8/s1600-h/untitled%20%281%20of%201%29-2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="untitled (1 of 1)-2" border="0" alt="untitled (1 of 1)-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwxUqDXMbRI/AAAAAAAADcI/9MBqz9rqTcA/untitled%20%281%20of%201%29-2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="401" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I helped out serving gravy, sweet potatoes and corn and pulled out my phone just in time to snap this one and only picture of  Miss Is while she was in line.   By the time I was done, she was too.  It was a lot of fun, lots of food and all the first-graders enjoyed their First Thanksgiving Feast.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#800000" size="7">Happy Thanksgiving!</font></strong></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-39764367938885679572009-11-23T16:36:00.001-07:002009-11-23T16:36:54.999-07:00Trash to Treasure: Two Dollar Table<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left">All right, I’m a ding-dong.  Well, that goes without saying I suppose.  Somehow I have lost my before pictures of my two dollar table so this trash to treasure is considerably light on the trashy part and therefore unimpressive.  I can, however, tell you that this table was so icky that the manager of D.I. laughed at the check-out and said, “I never thought we’d sell that table.  I thought we’d have to pay someone to take it.”  Of course I jumped on the opportunity to be PAID for something I wanted, but I shelled out the two bucks anyhow.  </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">The poor thing was wonky with a couple of screws loose, which I can totally sympathize with, a few adjustments later and all’s well.  The recessed glass top was covered in 80’s stickers and at least a quarter inch of dust.  Goo-gone and it’s gone!  Using what was left of the spray paint I had used on the chairs, it got a fresh, shiny black coat .  To bring out the rope details on the sides, I dug out some very ancient metallic gold rub-on paint with I applied with my mad, artsy skills… my fingertips.  </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">It fits nicely in between the two chairs and currently has a lovely, all-white floral arrangement in a glass vase on top.  All for less than a Happy Meal on 1/2 price Tuesdays.  Cha-ching!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwschFMb0iI/AAAAAAAADbg/LUMWHgxGSr8/s1600-h/DSC_0006%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0006" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwschoJ4tjI/AAAAAAAADbk/iJKLV-VyM_g/DSC_0006_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="257" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwscigvWgoI/AAAAAAAADbo/oCu73yQPqUY/s1600-h/DSC_0005%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0005" border="0" alt="DSC_0005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwscjwbT56I/AAAAAAAADbs/7vn2J1MNySY/DSC_0005_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="569" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A little preview of things to come…</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Swsck0OVeNI/AAAAAAAADbw/fklrVdxZKMU/s1600-h/DSC_0006%5B14%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0006" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwsclgjjDlI/AAAAAAAADb4/rotkVivg-MI/DSC_0006_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="252" /></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-1814636955378911242009-11-20T16:08:00.001-07:002009-11-20T16:10:00.292-07:00Trash to Treasure: Now Seating<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchA8gJioI/AAAAAAAADa4/unD0fIjI_bc/s1600-h/DSC_0002%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0002" border="0" alt="DSC_0002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchDm0XQhI/AAAAAAAADa8/jtZxA1UVzP4/DSC_0002_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="490" /></a></p> <p>  </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Good bones, but a lot of goo.  I found these two beauties at Savers for $6.99 each.  I had - no, I HAD to have them.  </p> <p align="center">They were just what I was looking for, but never thought I’d actually get.  </p> <p align="center">The chairs I found online in a similar style would have cost me around $300 so at $14.00 I will happily settle.  </p> <p align="center">There are a few good-sized gouges as you can see and the upholstery is atrocious, I think it was off-white back in the day. </p> <p align="center"> Not that the finished color is bad, it’s just not what I’m after and covering the flaws would be hard to blend.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Trashy chairs at Savers:  $14.00</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchE3Q_xJI/AAAAAAAADbA/Hx_7Ep-cI8U/s1600-h/DSC_0004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0004" border="0" alt="DSC_0004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchGxmdPDI/AAAAAAAADbE/5yQbI2-uD_A/DSC_0004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="733" height="492" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">So I did what any do-it-yourselfer girl would do.  Buy a big can of spray paint and toss caution to the wind.  Of course, it’s always nice to put down a layer or two of newsprint, but a minor precaution nonetheless.  Piano Black in a high gloss finish.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Paint:  $3.48 at  Wal-Mart.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I found an online home decor fabric site that I’m in love with, it’s called <a href="http://warehousefabricsinc.com" target="_blank">Warehouse Fabrics Inc</a>.  </p> <p align="center">The prices are decent and there are so many lovely fabrics to choose from that making a </p> <p align="center">decision between choices a, b, and c, d, e, f was rather difficult.  </p> <p align="center">Check out was easy and shipping was fast.  </p> <p align="center">Having yet another reason to break out my electric staple gun, I set out to recover the pads while the paint dried. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Two yards of fabric with shipping:  $17.42</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">A few screws here and there, remove the painters tape off of the front legs covering the silver caps and……</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center">.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="6">Ta-Dah!!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchKDMkcSI/AAAAAAAADbI/oVrpx4LWqec/s1600-h/DSC_0113%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0113" border="0" alt="DSC_0113" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchNGqbSJI/AAAAAAAADbM/6AYQPXQOrII/DSC_0113_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="738" height="495" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchOs8ArQI/AAAAAAAADbQ/iwLKzxH8OUc/s1600-h/DSC_0115%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0115" border="0" alt="DSC_0115" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchR47uxkI/AAAAAAAADbU/rJYAEk-VyM8/DSC_0115_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="757" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchTkngVzI/AAAAAAAADbY/KiiSEJPZWJs/s1600-h/DSC_0118%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0118" border="0" alt="DSC_0118" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwchWOGFXMI/AAAAAAAADbc/pEcVEUImAmY/DSC_0118_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="783" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Love, Love, <strong>LOVE </strong>my chairs.  </p> <p align="center">I plan on ordering a few more yards and making fill-ins for the backs out of Masonite that I can Velcro in or out depending on how I’m using them.</p> <p align="center">As always, everything has a dual purpose.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">Grand total:  $34.90!</font></strong>  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Someday I’ll finish decorating my office and give you all the “tour” so you can see how perfect they are!  One thing about thrifty, trash to treasure decor is that sometimes it takes imagination, patience and a little elbow grease to get what you want.  To me, that’s half the fun.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Up next, my $2.00 side table.</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-49470691227543038252009-11-16T16:54:00.001-07:002009-11-16T16:54:13.514-07:00Senior Pictures: Delaney<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="A-173 A" border="0" alt="A-173 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlS42RCUI/AAAAAAAADXM/1zx9t2L_MSE/A-173%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="755" /></p> <p> </p> <p>What a ride taking pictures for this girl was!  My bus (Yukon XL) was stuffed with myself, Delaney, her mom and boyfriend, Preston and let’s not forget the suitcase with everything a fashionista teen would and could possibly need for a photo-shoot.    We started off at a barn then made our way to downtown.  From there we hit the rain tracks and multiple, out of the way places along the way.  Preston was a trooper through the whole thing, finding songs she likes on my iPod and holding the boom box just right.  He was an even bigger sport when she asked if she could get some pictures with him. </p> <p> </p> <p>Delaney had her senior photos taken already by a local pro, but didn’t like them so much – at least not the lovely price tag that went with the few prints available.  So I asked if I could give it a try, if I could do any better and maybe, just maybe there will be something she loves.  Judging by the fact that I received an instant text message back when I told her the pictures were ready and ten minutes later she was at my door, I’d say yes.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Some are fun, grungy and bold while others are muted and classic in black and white. Heaps still yet to learn…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlTqiDbvI/AAAAAAAADXQ/Icdn6QFGNzw/s1600-h/A-135%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-135 A" border="0" alt="A-135 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlVEuyD9I/AAAAAAAADXU/JEnKDKghg7w/A-135%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="522" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlWLyEmKI/AAAAAAAADXY/uJIKfAcNCvU/s1600-h/A-145%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-145 A" border="0" alt="A-145 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlXjf2HAI/AAAAAAAADXc/ixd4qtDFKwY/A-145%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="521" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlY77S8WI/AAAAAAAADXk/SxScGTs35jw/s1600-h/A-118%20A%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-118 A" border="0" alt="A-118 A" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlc3CCp6I/AAAAAAAADXo/bR_c9Ciolro/A-118%20A_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="522" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHld1Nu3bI/AAAAAAAADXs/Rq-Dl7RShGA/s1600-h/A-132%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-132 A" border="0" alt="A-132 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlfAleNXI/AAAAAAAADXw/A7xRRDTj1ZE/A-132%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="523" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlgRw_6MI/AAAAAAAADX0/56dqf3saMQY/s1600-h/A-165%20A%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-165 A" border="0" alt="A-165 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHliHgU4mI/AAAAAAAADX4/sVolmk4QzkQ/A-165%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="520" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlij8bkWI/AAAAAAAADX8/FdmuUweQBhw/s1600-h/A-192%20A%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-192 A" border="0" alt="A-192 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHljQY_4fI/AAAAAAAADYA/rYn0AqYeddk/A-192%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="519" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlkaDaqCI/AAAAAAAADYE/2UgXaeB_q5A/s1600-h/A-193%20A%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-193 A" border="0" alt="A-193 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHllJmg1CI/AAAAAAAADYI/D83dXh4Shv8/A-193%20A_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="519" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHll6K_AiI/AAAAAAAADYM/MBQU0IMvh_Q/s1600-h/A-191%20G%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A-191 G" border="0" alt="A-191 G" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlmyYNY6I/AAAAAAAADYQ/sJNzAFeJ-7U/A-191%20G_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="519" /></a>      </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>    </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlndRf04I/AAAAAAAADYU/-6uJbkU3MA0/s1600-h/B-038%20B%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-038 B" border="0" alt="B-038 B" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHln2Oub3I/AAAAAAAADYY/R4mdGWs_WPg/B-038%20B_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="519" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHloezUgNI/AAAAAAAADYc/OREHxFLdRqk/s1600-h/B-037%20B%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-037 B" border="0" alt="B-037 B" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlpOs5nOI/AAAAAAAADYg/C51zFdAglfI/B-037%20B_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="518" /></a>   </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlpri73tI/AAAAAAAADYk/1OJvfxuDiH8/s1600-h/B-023%20A%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-023 A" border="0" alt="B-023 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlqfVR1jI/AAAAAAAADYo/lUFqI9meuyM/B-023%20A_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="517" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlrjaxGeI/AAAAAAAADYs/gx29oMT01uk/s1600-h/B-018%20G%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-018 G" border="0" alt="B-018 G" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHls3CsEcI/AAAAAAAADYw/ctBRnyh8VhQ/B-018%20G_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="517" /></a>   </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlt25yzRI/AAAAAAAADY0/s6qCqKzvnpk/s1600-h/B-044%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-044 A" border="0" alt="B-044 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHluWz-IvI/AAAAAAAADY4/o1L6g3XjHP0/B-044%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="344" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlvF-b0iI/AAAAAAAADY8/aS0J4XNfYhA/s1600-h/B-041%20M%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-041 M" border="0" alt="B-041 M" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlvs6YgcI/AAAAAAAADZA/jERc0ZKVSdo/B-041%20M_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="343" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlwWqNcKI/AAAAAAAADZE/n_7kEhLu3lU/s1600-h/B-045%20A%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-045 A" border="0" alt="B-045 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlw69Ze7I/AAAAAAAADZI/eiayf0gFvDs/B-045%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="343" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlyLT3gEI/AAAAAAAADZM/sUACiA9JW7k/s1600-h/B-052%20Ga%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="B-052 Ga" border="0" alt="B-052 Ga" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlzqvld0I/AAAAAAAADZQ/buCNZihfdas/B-052%20Ga_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="702" height="471" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl0W0FMCI/AAAAAAAADZU/ck4ge6jvYe8/s1600-h/I-058%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="I-058 A" border="0" alt="I-058 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl0yDBTTI/AAAAAAAADZY/rUQnbhK3gCs/I-058%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="340" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl1bbcmYI/AAAAAAAADZc/0Oo8LHan6ac/s1600-h/I-059%20A%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="I-059 A" border="0" alt="I-059 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl19YD4NI/AAAAAAAADZg/o7JkMQIz-3k/I-059%20A_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="341" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl2v9UY_I/AAAAAAAADZk/IblWjedJql0/s1600-h/I-064%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="I-064 A" border="0" alt="I-064 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl3TZNJxI/AAAAAAAADZo/17LIjCSCfAs/I-064%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl4MCmNzI/AAAAAAAADZs/ydSdj1Ki3EI/s1600-h/L-019%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="L-019 A" border="0" alt="L-019 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl5f7yrfI/AAAAAAAADZw/G0qoG9tPZCw/L-019%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="708" height="475" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl6dGxArI/AAAAAAAADZ0/DC9meAuCvI4/s1600-h/R-153%20A%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="R-153 A" border="0" alt="R-153 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl7zUM0gI/AAAAAAAADZ4/UQFHkyIKslA/R-153%20A_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="711" height="477" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>It started raining towards the end of our session.  See the rain drops – you know, those blurry white stripes? Delaney asked if I could capture them, so they’re supposed to be there. lol  I really like how this one turned out, it’s one of my favorites.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl8TNMIpI/AAAAAAAADZ8/p0AYoOVduf8/s1600-h/R-141%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="R-141 A" border="0" alt="R-141 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl86BEdZI/AAAAAAAADaA/123MJ-lZ56U/R-141%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl-ZambsI/AAAAAAAADaE/3_qGPz0ga0k/s1600-h/R-146%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="R-146 A" border="0" alt="R-146 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHl_anKIMI/AAAAAAAADaI/hNdMFnECiKY/R-146%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="331" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmAPNeW0I/AAAAAAAADaM/4ptOuVtWKJQ/s1600-h/T-205%20A%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="T-205 A" border="0" alt="T-205 A" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmAibzA8I/AAAAAAAADaQ/Pr6wUDdsDaY/T-205%20A_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="344" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmBQ4WRoI/AAAAAAAADaU/EbCmSMy14Tc/s1600-h/T-009%20A%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="T-009 A" border="0" alt="T-009 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmB0XAJ2I/AAAAAAAADaY/N95AonuHCAk/T-009%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="344" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmClzlt4I/AAAAAAAADac/L5skMUiLCF4/s1600-h/T-214%20A%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="T-214 A" border="0" alt="T-214 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmDI8OBZI/AAAAAAAADag/4wjBK14uD6U/T-214%20A_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="345" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>The middle shot was taken just before we got kicked out of the train yard.  Technically nobody said “leave” it was more like a worker staring at us from outside the buildings.  For the record, I did look for someone to get permission from before we started.  Claim ignorance, right? </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Favorites with the beau…  the filmstrip shots.  They could really hold the “serious” look so much that her mom and I had to break it up.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Delaney & Preston SB a" border="0" alt="Delaney & Preston SB a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmFI8DywI/AAAAAAAADak/fJmVAqnJyaM/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="590" height="1180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmF3a4ljI/AAAAAAAADao/9oAaAqVl51k/s1600-h/R-184%20B%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="R-184 B" border="0" alt="R-184 B" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmHJIMpTI/AAAAAAAADas/4S-E36O1B_s/R-184%20B_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="672" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p>.    </p> <p>This shot was completely candid, well… Delaney notice the camera pointed in her direction.  We were clearing out of the road before a</p> <p>red mustang ran us all over, Delaney and Preston headed for the pull-out and I just leaned up against the guard rail a ways down the road and happened to catch the moment.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmHhyxTFI/AAAAAAAADaw/VOsnh54b-x0/s1600-h/L-050%20A%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="L-050 A" border="0" alt="L-050 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHmJIP-JqI/AAAAAAAADa0/bz10KdVHw1U/L-050%20A_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="710" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p align="center">Doesn’t that just scream personality?</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Thanks Delaney!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SwHlRLod16I/AAAAAAAADXI/m2hVsob1kFc/s1600-h/Delaney%20%26%20Preston%20SB%20a%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-80974284765544862022009-11-14T09:58:00.001-07:002009-11-14T09:58:54.620-07:00Do A Good Turn<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Sv7hw5rlBtI/AAAAAAAADW4/At-8E9YB3d0/s1600-h/DSC_0016%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0016" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Sv7hyLIDddI/AAAAAAAADW8/jXn2bzFvEKU/DSC_0016_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="660" height="444" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Sv7hyjEkwNI/AAAAAAAADXA/Bf0QyLUFbKg/s1600-h/DSC_0015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0015" border="0" alt="DSC_0015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Sv7hzTpBiCI/AAAAAAAADXE/FhGAfrpsKuY/DSC_0015_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="533" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Those boys of mine were busy bees this morning, running the snow-dusted neighborhood to collect food for the Scouting for Food drive.  I’ll be sure to have some hot chocolate ready for them when they return!  They love the food drive, even though there are complaints about getting up early on a Saturday and being cold, but in the end they are excited to have helped other families out.</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-22125601977549115272009-11-11T13:56:00.001-07:002009-11-11T14:02:25.602-07:00Lucky Dog & Lightroom<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvsklFOMbEI/AAAAAAAADUk/cQDYk7EncfU/s1600-h/DSC_0004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0004" border="0" alt="DSC_0004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svskmfi9tDI/AAAAAAAADUo/e_CWF4ELeeo/DSC_0004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="594" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Meet Lucky, he’s our “adopted” dog we’re babysitting for a year as my sister <a href="http://a-trainadventures.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">April</a> travels the world</p> <p align="center"> doing things I only dream (or have nightmares) about doing.  </p> <p align="center">I live vicariously through her and am happy with that.   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">In the meantime, I get to play pet-parent to her pride and joy Mr. Lucky Dog, the inspiration behind <a href="http://mototaxijunket09.theadventurists.com/index.php?mode=teamwebsites&name=wondermoto&page=team" target="_blank">WonderMoto</a>.  He’s a blast.  </p> <p align="center">The Farmers love, LOve, LOVE him and I have to admit it’s nice to have both Lucky and Spike </p> <p align="center">at my feet while I am home alone all day.  No, don’t jump to conclusions… the Farmers can stay in school.  lol</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvsknJ22sCI/AAAAAAAADUs/tmCSNXXJtMY/s1600-h/DSC_0012%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0012" border="0" alt="DSC_0012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskoIhdguI/AAAAAAAADUw/VKUHvE_hAQQ/DSC_0012_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="588" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And how could you not love that? </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskowE8dTI/AAAAAAAADU0/eXD8TYNwnf0/s1600-h/DSC_0015%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0015" border="0" alt="DSC_0015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskqC_NTaI/AAAAAAAADU4/9jZ7w9E6fEs/DSC_0015_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="584" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Or that?  Lucky is ready to please and more than ready for a good round of fetch.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svskq-Px4yI/AAAAAAAADU8/FKI4JFVGuac/s1600-h/DSC_0017%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0017" border="0" alt="DSC_0017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvsksDFBYBI/AAAAAAAADVA/uvKVcO69ToU/DSC_0017_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="572" /></a> </p> <p align="center">“I’m ready…. ready… ready….  I’m still ready.”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsksx5o2KI/AAAAAAAADVE/nVN_Wbt4wDY/s1600-h/DSC_0016%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0016" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svskt3Vn3rI/AAAAAAAADVI/oktpxR2XOhM/DSC_0016_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="581" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I suppose his patience wore a little too thin.  </p> <p align="center">It’s dangerous business trying to take pictures with a tennis ball in hand.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskvP-UvLI/AAAAAAAADVM/8s0DxV3li_Q/s1600-h/DSC_0021%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0021" border="0" alt="DSC_0021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskwEyjqZI/AAAAAAAADVQ/s_Tk-Ezh64U/DSC_0021_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="587" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">But he’s back on his game.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskwvM7v6I/AAAAAAAADVU/YUsNI-bunlg/s1600-h/DSC_0024%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0024" border="0" alt="DSC_0024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskxRpog6I/AAAAAAAADVY/JWGQ2j_OJ2k/DSC_0024_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="592" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">What concentration!  What perseverance!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskyHK6aXI/AAAAAAAADVc/nhNWCqo4ldw/s1600-h/DSC_0026%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0026" border="0" alt="DSC_0026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskzPDTf9I/AAAAAAAADVg/bW4hKm4vRY4/DSC_0026_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="689" height="462" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Doesn’t he make your heart melt?  Even if you’re not a dog fan, he makes a great case to be one.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvskzpLDvjI/AAAAAAAADVk/fknl4DSzWUA/s1600-h/DSC_0029%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0029" border="0" alt="DSC_0029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk0BC3UbI/AAAAAAAADVo/rpy81ZCzWrY/DSC_0029_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="569" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">So well behaved is he, except for when he gets the idea in his head</p> <p align="center">that he needs to be the center of attention.  Like now, as I’m sitting at my desk, </p> <p align="center">Lucky’s wet nose nudges my arms off the keyboard.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk0nFFB9I/AAAAAAAADVs/leiAlCopQo4/s1600-h/DSC_0028%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0028" border="0" alt="DSC_0028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk1vb4qJI/AAAAAAAADVw/p011y5kbnvY/DSC_0028_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="563" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Or I get a big, slobbery kiss when we’re cuddling on the sofa watching t.v.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0032" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk2C8W33I/AAAAAAAADV0/7MVtSbdvGZc/DSC_0032_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="430" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">And that’s when I take a break and we go play ball again until he drops.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk2xx_gsI/AAAAAAAADV4/mU3pyM3a9-0/s1600-h/DSC_0031%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0031" border="0" alt="DSC_0031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk3q6Y39I/AAAAAAAADV8/VtrH6ciCbvo/DSC_0031_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="642" height="431" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Yep, he’s a lucky dog all right.  But we can’t forget about Spike…</p> <p align="center"> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0037" border="0" alt="DSC_0037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk4r37JaI/AAAAAAAADWA/SLGzOGWvYDo/DSC_0037_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="559" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Who spent the entire time I played fetch with Lucky contemplating the deeper meaning of life at the edge of the pond.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0036" border="0" alt="DSC_0036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk55ATHhI/AAAAAAAADWE/V40NPlJJoGc/DSC_0036_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="430" /> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Deep thoughts like “how many birds can I catch at the feeder” </p> <p align="center">or “here little fishy, heerreee little fishy.”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk6XsLWeI/AAAAAAAADWI/Rm3OhptXh3I/s1600-h/DSC_0038%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0038" border="0" alt="DSC_0038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk7Qj0EXI/AAAAAAAADWM/6k-y_fJnxnA/DSC_0038_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="565" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Or deeper still, “when will that darn dog go home!” </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">You gotta love a cat with attitude.  Lucky and Spike are friends actually.  </p> <p align="center">They tear up the great room going round and around and around the seating </p> <p align="center">area until they either get yelled at or one of them calls a truce.  </p> <p align="center">The same thing happens outside, except it’s the trees and they don’t get yelled at.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Lucky settled himself down in Spike’s bed – that was hilarious, </p> <p align="center">talk about Goldie Locks’ '”this beds too small”  – we decided it was time to get one of his own.  </p> <p align="center">They snuggle each other. They bathe each other.  They’re just good buddies who look out for each other.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">The strangest thing happened yesterday, </p> <p align="center">Lucky nudged me out of my seat and headed downstairs to the back door.  </p> <p align="center">I thought it was an emergency potty run, but instead  I just let Spike in and Lucky was happy.  No potty needed.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Saturday Dave and I went into Petco to get a new bag of dog food.</p> <p align="center">I remembered what brand, what color of bag, but when we got there we found two green bags.</p> <p align="center">I called Dev at home and asked him to check for me.  </p> <p align="center">“What kind of dog is on the front of the package?”</p> <p align="center">His classic reply,  “I don’t know… a spaghetti dog?”  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I knew exactly what he was talking about.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk7nVQdkI/AAAAAAAADWQ/PJDqUJM6UQU/s1600-h/dogfood%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dogfood" border="0" alt="dogfood" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svsk8QUVyMI/AAAAAAAADWU/7L5cAO3LUHM/dogfood_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="317" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I hope this makes up for the lack of Lucky updates, April.  </p> <p align="center">He’s doing just fine and lov’n life… not too much though!  Take care, we miss you!  We love you!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvsmX8zDGUI/AAAAAAAADWY/7I-_qSj3N2E/s1600-h/lightroom1-3-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lightroom1-3-2" border="0" alt="lightroom1-3-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvsmYIZHiCI/AAAAAAAADWc/xNl2lUec0p4/lightroom1-3-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="165" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">A little side note, I’ve got a new software program that I’m playing with.  It’s Adobes Lightroom 3.  All the pictures went from RAW</p> <p align="center">camera files to completely processed in less than five minutes.  Heck, it took longer to paste them into this post</p> <p align="center">and is incredibly faster than what I have been doing.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">For example, the old way:</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">1. Import RAW  (can’t see the images)</p> <p align="center">2.  Convert using Camera Raw in CS3.  (10-15 shots max at a time.)</p> <p align="center">3.  Sync if applicable.</p> <p align="center">4.  Save as TIFF’s</p> <p align="center">5.  Edit one by one or batch process (single action) if there are only slight changes.</p> <p align="center">6.  Save.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">New way:</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">1.  Import RAW into LR</p> <p align="center">2.  Select similar groupings, adjust and sync.</p> <p align="center">3.  Slight edit if necessary in LR or more serious stuff in CS3</p> <p align="center">4.  Export as TIFF’s and JPEG’s.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Done!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I have to play around a little more with it before I can make an “educated” decision, but so far so good.  </p> <p align="center">Need more practice… need more pictures….  need more willing volunteers!</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-91456889021133470822009-11-11T09:51:00.001-07:002009-11-11T09:51:59.751-07:00Football Farewell<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The boys in blue, our very own Broncos, won their first and last game of the season.  It was wonderful.  I loved seeing these kids who have worked so hard all season long finally get a win.  Not that winning is everything, but it sure helps.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The picture below is from the playoff game against the “Green Giants” – quite literally.  D.J. is #61 on defense and needs to take on those… those ogres in front of him.  He got bowled over so many times, but always got back up.  That’s all I could ask for.  It wasn’t only D.J.’s problem either, the whole team seemed to be instantly dwarfed.  Needless to say the Broncos put up a good fight, an honorable fight, and closed the season with a loss on paper and a win in courage and determination. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DJ Defense 1" border="0" alt="DJ Defense 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvrrpUuMjCI/AAAAAAAADUU/pSMvx1XBQsw/DJDefense1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="418" /></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvrrqCvWMkI/AAAAAAAADUY/8mV2RoMBzjg/s1600-h/DJFootballPic25.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DJ Football Pic 2" border="0" alt="DJ Football Pic 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvrrrZAOHEI/AAAAAAAADUc/I4idQa6j5uw/DJFootballPic2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="692" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I’m so proud of D.J. – of all the boys – I could burst.  </p> <p align="center">Junior Lightweight Division next year, bring it on!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 551px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:32e82197-b3b7-4061-a6a4-b5ced5687069" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="a3f6c072-a492-439b-90da-bcd0c341fce1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayCyyGjGg9s" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvrrroCXSdI/AAAAAAAADUg/X5eAAp0Z_YM/video0c138572d1db%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a3f6c072-a492-439b-90da-bcd0c341fce1'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"551\" height=\"461\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ayCyyGjGg9s&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ayCyyGjGg9s&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"551\" height=\"461\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-78275387593084962182009-11-10T10:54:00.001-07:002009-11-10T10:54:01.075-07:00PCSI: All Hallow’s Eve<p> </p> <p>Warning:  The following scene may be too graphic for some gourds.  Grower guidance is suggested.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left">It was a gruesome find beneath the dim porch light.  You would expect monsters, aliens, a princess fairy, transformer, storm trooper, Jedi or two, but never this.  </p> <p align="left">There was no trick nor treat at the doorstep this Halloween.  An innocent pumpkin lay in bits, the cool blade of the hatchet cleaved his head in two.  Seeds scattered the ground too early for planting.  Surprised horror marked his dying moments as the candle flicked and then went out.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmocadoTKI/AAAAAAAADS0/9sI3lXU9Vvk/s1600-h/DSC_010812.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0108" border="0" alt="DSC_0108" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmoc3Gb6xI/AAAAAAAADS4/f0uVH5t31TA/DSC_0108_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">The Sheriff was first to arrive.  He received the call on his radio from P-patch.  A 187 - he knew it wouldn’t be good, they never were.</p> <p align="left">Despite his rotund physique, the Sheriff worked the case with the utmost care and agility, keeping his eyes wide open for clues.  Time was not on their side, things would get moldy fast.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmodidqNrI/AAAAAAAADS8/A56KDVmkOrQ/s1600-h/DSC_00994.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0099" border="0" alt="DSC_0099" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmoecwxlMI/AAAAAAAADTA/am-jWbQx_Zs/DSC_0099_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="342" /></a> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">His partner, a slightly sadistic veteran of the force with a knack for getting his man called in the preliminary report.  He had seen this before.  He knew what needed to be done.  He knew who to look for and he did it all with a grin.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmoe2NvZgI/AAAAAAAADTE/xsMb1APKpiM/s1600-h/DSC_01066.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0106" border="0" alt="DSC_0106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmofrO0elI/AAAAAAAADTI/nYUQ3ByDj7o/DSC_0106_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="514" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left">One of the most decorated forensic scientists examined the remains, finding clues everyone else would miss among the chaos.</p> <p align="left">Collecting that one piece of evidence to permanently can the perpetrator for nothing less than a baked conviction.  </p> <p align="left">Justice or sweet revenge for the departed is best served cold… with a dollop of whipping cream or vanilla ice cream.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmogJl3yXI/AAAAAAAADTM/GuAyZP8kOpE/s1600-h/DSC_01057.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0105" alt="DSC_0105" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmogiSkvUI/AAAAAAAADTQ/DNL8YvYJFhI/DSC_0105_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="523" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">The team continued working into the night, burning candles at both ends.  It was going to be a long one.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmohtXniKI/AAAAAAAADTU/sm0K51ovmoY/s1600-h/DSC_01093.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0109" border="0" alt="DSC_0109" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmoiTQItRI/AAAAAAAADTY/pkjvfeS0LKQ/DSC_0109_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="621" height="418" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmojLCmVEI/AAAAAAAADTc/RtxEIsJ8fXI/s1600-h/DSC_0084%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0084" border="0" alt="DSC_0084" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmojq3e5-I/AAAAAAAADTg/poQXbEQYWWw/DSC_0084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="301" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmokDiUAPI/AAAAAAAADTk/y9uSkGpFSDQ/s1600-h/DSC_00805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC_0080" border="0" alt="DSC_0080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmokvBrpuI/AAAAAAAADTo/5AY8hLXJ47g/DSC_0080_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="301" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmolF-aLsI/AAAAAAAADTs/DTBqANeEsuA/s1600-h/DSC_00835.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC_0083" border="0" alt="DSC_0083" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmolhgkMmI/AAAAAAAADTw/Qhoh53CXpK4/DSC_0083_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="302" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">The Perps:  D.J.  (Sheriff),  Miss Is (the Squint) and Devin (the Veteran).  Mom & Dad the lowly victim.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Pictures from the Patch:</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmomwOkUdI/AAAAAAAADT0/VvqgjSb0AZQ/s1600-h/DSC_0078%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0078" border="0" alt="DSC_0078" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmooPZbRmI/AAAAAAAADT4/C80jsR_p-Ac/DSC_0078_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="639" height="429" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmooyAeFOI/AAAAAAAADT8/XZ04u1t6yt8/s1600-h/DSC_0050%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmopo061ZI/AAAAAAAADUA/E9_k9o_dJ58/DSC_0050_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmoq5IZTqI/AAAAAAAADUE/h-5SYrutcs0/s1600-h/DSC_0061%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0061" border="0" alt="DSC_0061" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmorw1XeFI/AAAAAAAADUI/TdgHqf74vJM/DSC_0061_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Svmos_G5-mI/AAAAAAAADUM/dxHhXqjwgrM/s1600-h/DSC_0067%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0067" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvmouE4VqeI/AAAAAAAADUQ/grXnEgIFV5Y/DSC_0067_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="428" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Miss Is was rather upset, the hay ride struck and killed her first pumpkin pick that she happened set too close to the road.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">And for the record, the Farmers DO NOT WATCH CSI.  We got the idea from the broken bits of pumpkin along the roadside, </p> <p align="center">wondering who would smash someone’s Jack-o-Lantern just for the fun of it.  How mean is that?</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-7176802706252430522009-11-05T07:35:00.001-07:002009-11-05T10:47:52.136-07:00Wrestling<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Tuesday night Devin competed in his very first wrestling meet for the Longhorns.  The first match went three rounds and he lost by points.  Luckily he got a second match against his old school.  Another three rounds and in the final seconds, Devin scored three points and won eight to five.  Whooo hooo!!  I’ve gone from football mom to wrestling mom in a matter of weeks.   Longhorns take on the Kavemen next Tuesday; I can’t wait!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLiqjaSK2I/AAAAAAAADSI/I97xWx9OfY8/s1600-h/DSC_01377.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0137" border="0" alt="DSC_0137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLir7gofPI/AAAAAAAADSM/0HySQ6hUlBE/DSC_0137_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="703" height="549" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Beginning of the first match, Round 1.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLisusd9hI/AAAAAAAADSQ/ckGuBYO8EDw/s1600-h/DSC_01476.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0147" border="0" alt="DSC_0147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLittBn0hI/AAAAAAAADSU/MagF0GkR27U/DSC_0147_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="707" height="488" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Get your GRRRR on!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLiuaFS8KI/AAAAAAAADSY/-qXCiMBXNsg/s1600-h/DSC_01674.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0167" border="0" alt="DSC_0167" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLivTgqWvI/AAAAAAAADSc/ITGzXz1LN6I/DSC_0167_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="723" height="485" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Second match of the night.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0174" border="0" alt="DSC_0174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLiwbeZ-MI/AAAAAAAADSk/ERagsw9RqAw/DSC_0174_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="728" height="488" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLixI-Hp2I/AAAAAAAADSo/PkOsckIAmrw/s1600-h/DSC_01745.jpg"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLixyLdbmI/AAAAAAAADSs/d3XzceJNTIo/s1600-h/DSC_01724.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0172" border="0" alt="DSC_0172" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvLiy-z-ucI/AAAAAAAADSw/2GN413mMBxk/DSC_0172_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="727" height="488" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I was so excited cheering Devin on that I forgot to take pictures when things turned around.  </p> <p align="center">I even missed his three point gain and the ref’s declaration of his win!  </p> <p align="center">Oh well, I suppose it’s better to cheer than not to cheer!  Go DEVIN!!!</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-76666549127213148682009-11-03T21:35:00.001-07:002009-11-04T12:16:34.086-07:00Senior Pictures: Kelly<p>   </p> <p> </p> <p>I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun it was to take these pictures.  It was all “fly by the seat of your pants” that day.  I knew I wanted to go to Boise – downtown to be specific – but I hadn’t vetted each location.  If I remember correctly, it was one of my very first <em>Lessons in What Not to Do</em>.  The train depot in Boise was spectacular; so much so that we were jockeying for positions with two weddings, other seniors, homecoming formals and family pictures.  Kelly was by far the cutest girl there (excluding the brides who were dripping with elegance) and I again did my best to pretend that I know what I’m doing – camera envy and all.   These are a few of the favorites.</p> <p> </p> <p>Boo-boo’s,mistakes, and “I should’ve done this instead” everywhere.  I’d like to think I’m getting better, heaven knows it’s not for lack of trying.  As long as Kelly is happy I’m happy and she seems thrilled. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRI-1utDI/AAAAAAAADQQ/fx91pIVKP5I/s1600-h/Web%20022%20A%5B16%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 022 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="632" alt="Web 022 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRKYDVV7I/AAAAAAAADQU/M3ENi_jizhY/Web%20022%20A_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRLcuAK7I/AAAAAAAADQY/wvTsxPG790c/s1600-h/WEB%20017%20A%20copy%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="WEB 017 A copy" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="621" alt="WEB 017 A copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRM46P_pI/AAAAAAAADQc/XjN8Vw0kv1A/WEB%20017%20A%20copy_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHROGPIjxI/AAAAAAAADQg/ERrIPNYl1Nw/s1600-h/Web%20015%20A%5B16%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 015 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="644" alt="Web 015 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRP2ogTcI/AAAAAAAADQk/I1zv8urGUNI/Web%20015%20A_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRQonwoqI/AAAAAAAADQo/V7rLpDrysao/s1600-h/Web%20054%20A%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 054 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="675" alt="Web 054 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRSMvQMBI/AAAAAAAADQs/qjLiw4xVp7s/Web%20054%20A_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRTTVasjI/AAAAAAAADQw/mcAhQJ9RDEs/s1600-h/Web%20100%20A%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 100 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="680" alt="Web 100 A" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRU2X2WDI/AAAAAAAADQ0/lIGG_8Z5UHk/Web%20100%20A_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRWccqgcI/AAAAAAAADQ4/oEcveu0iruM/s1600-h/Web%20092%20A%5B17%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 092 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="693" alt="Web 092 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRYzPTfaI/AAAAAAAADQ8/dHFeSaba_Rk/Web%20092%20A_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRZiken7I/AAAAAAAADRA/Bq-Wg4K6VA8/s1600-h/Web%20035%20A%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 035 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="411" alt="Web 035 A" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRbEdnLiI/AAAAAAAADRE/MUofO7BBbMU/Web%20035%20A_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="653" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRc5ITiLI/AAAAAAAADRI/dL-rWHr2Gk4/s1600-h/Web%20272%20A%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 272 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="444" alt="Web 272 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHReOHmwcI/AAAAAAAADRM/P4KoVv9j_y8/Web%20272%20A_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="662" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Angel Kisses is what she calls her freckles and from the looks of it, Kelly is loved very much.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRfZ2EMaI/AAAAAAAADRQ/UvFTcmX0DOA/s1600-h/Web%20205%20A%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 205 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="441" alt="Web 205 A" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRg7EBi5I/AAAAAAAADRU/n2f0txSJpPY/Web%20205%20A_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="657" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRiqvgVdI/AAAAAAAADRY/nLQwtjOzIGE/s1600-h/Web%20194%20A%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 194 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="442" alt="Web 194 A" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHRkfx1r5I/AAAAAAAADRc/2RNaJDlBi8U/Web%20194%20A_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="659" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">   Koi pond, waterfalls and lots of rocks to climb on.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvEEj3LsvSI/AAAAAAAADRg/WgG-SE2J_QM/s1600-h/325%20Sp%5B6%5D.png"><img title="325 Sp" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="683" alt="325 Sp" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvEEmzAUS9I/AAAAAAAADRo/pSbyKh5FUis/325%20Sp_thumb%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="458" border="0" /></a>   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> The architecture of the Depot was an amazing backdrop of textures and lines.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHR8SHaoVI/AAAAAAAADRw/f03VNRQEgYc/s1600-h/Web%20049%20B%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 049 B" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="690" alt="Web 049 B" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHR9cY57pI/AAAAAAAADR0/M3ayIhsIRNE/Web%20049%20B_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Kelly was after an Abercrombie & Fitch style photo minus the barely there clothes and the hunky man-child  (the latter much to her dismay).</p> <p align="center">This is what we came up with.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHR-TLjzpI/AAAAAAAADR4/zkHjeqo9rUU/s1600-h/022%20B%20R%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="022 B R" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="695" alt="022 B R" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHR_-_UiwI/AAAAAAAADR8/LIqcNe0vsFk/022%20B%20R_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHSAwu_H0I/AAAAAAAADSA/5R6RNM9fzwQ/s1600-h/WebBusiness%20BW%2010x20%5B13%5D.jpg"><img title="WebBusiness BW 10x20" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="374" alt="WebBusiness BW 10x20" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvHSBiqkUMI/AAAAAAAADSE/FYiBaxFRqDY/WebBusiness%20BW%2010x20_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="748" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Yep, she’s standing in the middle of Capital Blvd. and that’s the State Capitol in the background.  </p> <p align="center">When there was a break in traffic, Kelly and I would dash out into the middle of the four lane thoroughfare,</p> <p align="center">pose, snap and make it back to the safety of the sidewalk before the next round of traffic blew by.  </p> <p align="center">Needless to say, there were a few catcalls, honks and whistles.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvEEqoWVf9I/AAAAAAAADQI/ig9yvm8QX-0/s1600-h/Web%20146%20A%5B15%5D.jpg"><img title="Web 146 A" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="589" alt="Web 146 A" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SvEErihnvTI/AAAAAAAADQM/kTKLOp8QyEE/Web%20146%20A_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I love to get those goofy shots; funny faces bursting with personality.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">My second try at senior pictures – check.</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-47188542512942174142009-10-22T15:05:00.001-06:002009-10-22T15:05:45.277-06:00Wouldn’t You Like To Be A Carny Too?<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJD6kcJuI/AAAAAAAADO0/H02boBxJ5iY/s1600-h/DSCF0009%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0009" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="466" alt="DSCF0009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJFFm4uWI/AAAAAAAADO4/krgr-yj5Ijk/DSCF0009_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="621" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Last Friday was the elementary schools Fall Carnival.   A bake sale, school store to gear up in blue and a wide variety of booths for all ages and skill levels we put on by the teachers and grade levels.  All the money earned goes directly to that classroom or special.   I still don’t know what a flaming chicken is.  (Name of one of the booths.)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img title="DSCF0011" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="499" alt="DSCF0011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJGOLv_3I/AAAAAAAADO8/xxXAl0biAR4/DSCF0011_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" border="0" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks to a generous donation of food from the local grocer, the P.T.A. was able to supply dinner for the masses and use 100% of the proceeds to improve the school and various programs like the Library, P.E. and Music departments.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJHX6IYjI/AAAAAAAADPA/KAOwKSiTAZk/s1600-h/DSCF0010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0010" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="482" alt="DSCF0010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJIVKhf2I/AAAAAAAADPE/Pyj7DTtpsIQ/DSCF0010_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="642" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>David and Devin had been prepping for months learning and practicing their balloon twisting skills.  The line went on for what seemed like forever.  Devin was our sword man, he couldn’t twist them out fast enough.  Dave was left with the other critters which were mostly flowers, dragonflies and monkeys.  By the time the evening ended, they had made over 160 finished balloons that were paid for and countless others he twisted for fun.  Apparently, twisty balloons were a big hit and they plan on tying up the Spring Fling.  I guess we’re carnies now.  </p> <p> </p> <p>There was also a raffle that night with some really cool prizes.  Lucky me, I won two of them.  The first was a family fun night at a local restaurant (like Chuck E. Cheeses) including free pizza, drinks, rides and game tokens.  The Farmers are totally stoked; I just might save that one for a rainy day – to save my sanity when cabin fever gets to be too much.  I had my fingers crossed for the second prize, a $25 gift certificate to a fancy-pants salon.  I figured I could use some pampering, though I have know idea what to use it on.    A haircut maybe?  Dye?  Mani-pedi?  Eyebrow wax?  Facial skin peel?  On second thought, that doesn’t sound so relaxing.   Anyway, score one for the G’s at the carnival.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJJO1nMrI/AAAAAAAADPI/pZ9e4qKnTL0/s1600-h/DSCF0003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0003" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="491" alt="DSCF0003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/SuDJKOnrmTI/AAAAAAAADPM/YxqlTRIH38s/DSCF0003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="653" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">See, we’re looking like a bunch of cranies already!</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-51359991475074979312009-10-17T12:26:00.001-06:002009-10-17T12:26:21.753-06:00A Thousand Words<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I’ve been busy.  Sick.  Busy.  Farmer sick, crafty busy, another Farmer sick, sewing busy.  Sick and busy seems to be the lot of it lately. </p> <p> </p> <p>I was finishing up edits on some photos in my office last week about the time the two youngest farmers were due home from school.  Miss Is marched up stairs and begged me to help her (this was frantic pleading actually, and it involved a little knocked knee dance).  Frustrated by the frequency of this same scenario day after day, I stuck to my stubborn guns and refused to tag along merely as a spectator.</p> <p> </p> <p>The dance continued wildly until she gave into whatever it was stopping her and rushed into the upstairs bathroom.  Did I feel bad to hear her simper?  No.  Am I an awesome mother?  No.   Would I do it again? You bet’cha!  But don’t be fooled by all the tough talk, I felt the pangs of guilt as the dam broke.</p> <p> </p> <p>Once the deed was done, hands washed and pretty pink princess panties no longer in knots, she came back in without a word.  “See, you don’t need me.”  Congratulating her success – and mine too – I finished up the last photo.  “Umph.” was all I got in return.   Apparently Miss Is was busy too on the opposite side of the desk with a scrap piece of paper and a very pink highlighter.</p> <p> </p> <p>A few moments later, she rounded the corner and with all the attitude a six year old diva can muster she showed me this and said very sweetly, “This is what I thought of you yesterday…”</p> <p> </p> <p><img title="Image1" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="409" alt="Image1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/StoMR7l9ipI/AAAAAAAADNc/v5-jTElL0nU/Image1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="736" border="0" /></p> <p align="center">(The only thing missing is the meadow of wildflowers I’m skipping in.)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>“And this is what I think of you today.”  The tone was no longer sweet.  Is then proceeded to flip it at me and storm out of the room, slamming the door with extra gusto behind her to drive the point home and in her mind, the dagger deeper. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/StoMSqQJnkI/AAAAAAAADNg/fTDdiuqiUrE/s1600-h/Image2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Image2" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="408" alt="Image2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/StoMTK9Mu6I/AAAAAAAADNk/ZFGirkNBolI/Image2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="744" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">(Fire and brimstone or a dark, dreary castle in Transylvania?)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I laughed.  Hysterically.  I almost had to do the same knocked-knee dance that got us into this mess in the first place.  I wanted a daughter and oh boy did I get one!  She didn’t have to yell at me, call me names, tell me how much she doesn’t like me or how she doesn’t want me to be her mother anymore.  All she had to do was draw me this, it’s worth more than a thousand words and definitely a few giggles too.</p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203992717292443751.post-75551363709726530492009-09-24T16:46:00.001-06:002009-09-24T16:46:59.927-06:00Lessons in What Not to Do: Studio Bingo<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Senior pictures; it’s that time of year.  Sunday I was approached by this brunette beauty asking to take her senior pictures.  Apparently she like what I had done for Bill & Mary (<a href="http://chronicles-of-organized-chaos.blogspot.com/2009/05/lessons-in-what-not-to-do-getting-mary.html" target="_blank">LWND:  Getting Mary-ed</a>) and was eager to have me behind the lens for this educational, lifelong milestone. </p> <p> </p> <p>“Kelly has the utmost confidence in you.”  Her mom told me over the phone after I admitted my photography shortcomings and suggested that they take a last minute jaunt over to one of those “quickie” photo studios a strobe above the street side, pull-the-curtain and insert your dollar kind.  You see, the yearbook photo requires an indoor, solid background headshot.  They even specify how large the head should be (no more than an inch and a half from chin to the top of the hair) and a quarter of an inch short of the top of the picture.  Basically they want a studio shot, something I don’t have nor do I want to financially delve into at the moment.  Like most things, gear can become a greenback black hole where the return will never out pace or keep up with its ferocious appetite.  Lesson learned:  Fess up to your weakness and work the problem to your strengths.  It hit a little hard to know that this sweet girl had more faith in me than I did in myself; I wasn’t going to let her down.</p> <p> </p> <p>Confidence, huh?  Well, it was time to do what I do best – fake it and improvise.  I stopped by Joann Fabrics before the shoot and picked a couple of Panne velvet panels 1 yard by 58”.  Enough for head and shoulders, but that’s about it.  Stealing the scouting flag pole idea, I cut 1/4” aluminum conduit into three lengths, slapped on two PVC elbows and set the whole thing on rebar spikes.  Indoor wasn’t going to happen, at least if I can help it.  Lesson learned:  Home Depot, not the spendy Idaho Camera, can save the day.</p> <p> </p> <p>Kelly and I had a five o’clock appointment Tuesday at her parents countryside home.  Beautiful landscaping and plenty of grassy, open shade.  The sun was lower in the sky and sent a beam of golden light between an evergreen and chimney, casting a long column of shadows across the yard.  Using my awesome skills in astronomical mathematics and orienteering, I hammered in the rebar base (making sure not to hit any underground pipes) and calculated the best angle for the backdrop, the reflector and the celestial orb of a side and top light.  </p> <p> </p> <p>This is where Bingo comes into play.  I have my game card in front of me, my lipstick pink ink dotter in one clenched fist and a lucky, thumb-stroked rabbits foot in the other just waiting on bated breath for those winning numbers to line up.  ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, exposure and reflected, indirect, direct and flash all to be accounted for and let’s not for get the dreaded <a href="http://chronicles-of-organized-chaos.blogspot.com/2009/02/lesson-in-what-not-to-do-umbra-penumbra.html" target="_blank">umbra and penumbra</a>. Full manual, external flash, and opting against my usual lens of choice for the 55-200m VR zoom, I started marking off each square. </p> <p> </p> <p>Gold was up first on the impromptu stand and Kelly and I rocked it - quite literally.  If you feel good about yourself – it’s a good hair day, your eyeliner isn’t smudged, and blemishes are a thing of the past, chances are you feel better in front of the camera.  Smiles come easier, giggles grow and before you know it you have a stack of relatively painless pictures of you being you and not the I’ve-sat-here-for-<strong><em>hours</em></strong>-and-my-face-is-going-to-fall-off-if-I-have-to-smile-one-more-time while the only thing keeping said smile up is the pleasant daydream of strangling the photographer you.  Add my not-so-secret, secret weapon and who knows what will happen.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Music.  As in get your <em><strong>groove</strong></em> on music.  I asked Kelly to bring her iPod dock and queue up her favorite playlist.  Michael Buble kicked us off with a Sinatra standard oozing with class, golden oldies (of which I was quite impressed with her extensive tastes a generation before myself) and a couple of current pop-rock and rap ditties.  The Diva herself, Aretha’s <em>Chain of Fools</em>.  Pat Benetar’s <em>Heartbreaker</em> capped off the last shoot (black drop) with a timely, rocker hop off the white plastic lawn chair I happened to be standing on. The rabbit’s foot must have counter-acted Murphy’s Law because I didn’t land most embarrassingly on my backside or worse yet, break my camera. It all seems rather unorthodox, but this is me were talking about.  If I had any proper schooling, I’d know better and wouldn’t allow such childish frivolity to stand in the way of serious artistic expression.  Lesson learned:  Have fun, be silly when needed, get the job done and let the numbers fall where they may – there’s more than one way to win at bingo.</p> <p> </p> <p>Minimal – and I mean minimal – editing went into these due to time constraints.  I delivered proofs Wednesday afternoon and set up our appointment to go and do the real senior pictures this Saturday.  Another adventure I look forward to.  Michael is invited. So is Pat, Stevie, Neil, Elvis, Aretha, Fergie, UB40, Avril, Miley, Taylor, Josh, the Brothers of course and ….   Can I yell bingo? </p> <p> </p> <p>Meet Kelly, the cutest southern belle this side of the Mississippi. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv2xO1pYDI/AAAAAAAADM0/AYiRP1ynqos/s1600-h/Collage%20Gold%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Collage Gold" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="685" alt="Collage Gold" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv2yMbqJSI/AAAAAAAADM4/uRcI43Spn0E/Collage%20Gold_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv2yydabNI/AAAAAAAADM8/GhEzFyqQEXY/s1600-h/Collage%20Green%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Collage Green" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="689" alt="Collage Green" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv20OWQ6HI/AAAAAAAADNA/7xZ0L_egsnc/Collage%20Green_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv20pz285I/AAAAAAAADNE/2OGx_qCttLM/s1600-h/Collage%20Blue%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Collage Blue" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="698" alt="Collage Blue" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv21-d4U-I/AAAAAAAADNI/vWBud7FdsoU/Collage%20Blue_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv22k2zqeI/AAAAAAAADNM/8QJ64Ja7bVc/s1600-h/Collage%20Black%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Collage Black" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="701" alt="Collage Black" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv23Xc1e9I/AAAAAAAADNQ/gO_TKHy5Jxs/Collage%20Black_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">And the yearbook photo is….</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv24MXQALI/AAAAAAAADNU/eZHCCdcMauA/s1600-h/dsc_0071%20logo%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="dsc_0071 logo" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="452" alt="dsc_0071 logo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Pv9j65kwOg/Srv24jCOvmI/AAAAAAAADNY/2IWQVFXIGmw/dsc_0071%20logo_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" border="0" /></a></p> Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09938175478051352864noreply@blogger.com3