Photo 101

It was really weird to be back in the classroom after being out for nearly 20 years. Of course, we will be learning the how to use an SLR camera. The class is not only to teach about how to use the camera, but how to look at things more creatively. We won't be learning developing and we don't use the film you would think we would (negative film). We use slide film. Our slides are put into a slide projector after they are graded for a group critique -- YIKES. Hopefully, my classmates aren't too brutal...LOL!!

There are only two places in the area who develop slide film in house, and since we need them back quickly we have to use local. The nearest place is about 40 minutes from my house & a little further from my friend's house. We are carpooling to school & we will also take turns running films out & picking up. No sense on both of us driving out there.

We have our first assignment, and it is due Thursday. I have to get out and get shooting so I can have them developed and back by Wednesday afternoon or evening. Other assignments we get a lot more time for, but this one is only worth 10 point that will go toward our lowest project grade. It is basically for the instructor to see where everyone is and for us to get a feel for how he wants the assignments done.

I plan to have my film scanned to CD or purchase a slide scanner so I will post some of my assignment photos from time to time so you guys can see my progress (hopefully...lol).

I am a bit nervous, but really excited to learn new things at the same time.

I'm Tired

Today was my first photography class, and I am pooped! I will tell you all more about it tomorrow.

Happy Anniversary...

to a Milwaukee legend!

The anniversary celebration kicked off today. There are TONS of things going on around town in connection with the 105th. I am hoping to head down to the parade Saturday Morning.

Another Birthday

Happy Birthday to my crazy brother! Hope you have a wonderful day!!

A friend is a brother who was once a bother. ~Author Unknown

Scott & I gave you a hard time when you were little. We know you loved it. :) I love you, Joshie!

DWTS Celebs & Partners

Here they are...

Lance Bass (singer) & Lacey Schwimmer
Toni Braxton (singer) & Alec Mazo
Brooke Burke (TV personality) & Derek Hough
Rocco DiSpirito (chef) & Karina Smirnoff
Maurice Green (Olympic gold medalist track and field star)& Cheryl Burke
Kim Kardashian (TV personality) & Mark Ballas
Cloris Leachman (actress) & Corky Ballas
Cody Linley (actor) & Julianne Hough
Susan Lucci (soap opera actress) & Tony Dovolani
Misty May-Treanor (Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player) & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Ted McGinley (actor) & Inna Brayer
Jeffrey Ross (comedian) & Edyta Sliwinska
Warren Sapp (NFL player) & Kym Johnson

No stars I am super excited about seeing except maybe Ted McGinley. I think he is hilarious. Cloris Leachman is 82 so that should be interesting as well.

I am THRILLED that Maksim is back this season. Bob will be happy to see Edyta is back, and something tells me he will be rooting for Brooke Burke...LOL!!

The Show!

Saturday night was Girls Night Out! We saw Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, and Counting Crows.

First up was Sara Bareilles. We caught the very end of her show. She was OK. It was her last night on the tour with Maroon 5 and they brought out wine, flowers, teddy bears, bananas and stalks of celery for her. I wasn't there when they brought it out so I am not sure why they brought out bananas & celery...LOL!!

Next up was Maroon 5. They were AMAZING, and I have a new celeb crush. He might even be at number one right next to David Cook! Adam Levine (lead singer) is hot, hot, hot!

Adam.
Originally uploaded by Search Party Insider

We like them all, but the main reason we wanted to go to this show was to see Counting Crows. Every time you hear about one of their shows, the talk is how good they are live. Unfortunately, that didn't hold true for this show. We were quite underwhelmed by their show. How can Counting Crows do a show and not sing Mr. Jones? The best part of their show was Sara Bareilles joined them.

I <3 CVS

CVS
Shelf: $69.71
Paid: $13.68
Saved: $56.03 or 80.3%

That brings my numbers for the week to:

Shelf: $286.30
Paid: $116.34
Saved: $169.96 or 59.3%

This shopping also brought my most of my stockpile where it needs to be. I don't think I will spend half that this coming week. :)

Slightly Frustrated

As most of you know, Olivia was hired by Cousins late last month. She was told in the phone call when they hired her she needed to get her work permit and then call once she had it. She had her work permit two days later and called the person she was supposed the second we got home.

During that phone call she was asked when she would be available for an orientation. She said anytime, and was told someone would get back to her with a time. Two weeks had gone by since she had that conversation so she called to find out if a time had been set only to find out they already had an orientation AND that she was told about it. The person she spoke with on the phone spoke very loudly and I could hear every word. There were no messages left at our house or missed calls from this number or any other number we don't recognize. Also, if someone was supposed to be at an orientation and didn't show, wouldn't you call to find out why? We always did at McDonald's.

So now she has to wait until sometime after school starts for her orientation and to start working. Part of me wanted to call this person and tell him he needs to hire a secretary or keep better track of what he tells his new hires. Instead, Olivia is going to put in more applications in hopes that when (or should I say if) he calls she can say I found something else.

Birthday Wish

Happy Birthday Dad!

The father of a daughter is nothing but a high-class hostage. A father turns a stony face to his sons, berates them, shakes his antlers, paws the ground, snorts, runs them off into the underbrush, but when his daughter puts her arm over his shoulder and says, 'Daddy, I need to ask you something,' he is a pat of butter in a hot frying pan. ~ Garrison Keillor

That quote is true -- just ask my brothers...LOL!! Sorry, boys! ;)

Results: This Week's Game

Pick 'n Save
Shelf: $144.75
Paid: $34.32
Saved: $110.43 or 76.2 %

Woodman's
Shelf: $71.84*
Paid: $68.34
Saved: $3.50* or 4.8%

*The Woodman's shelf & saved amounts are not as high as they should be. The amount I listed as saved and included in the shelf price is only what I had in coupons. Because of the way their sale items ring I cannot tell what was on sale and what was not. I didn't write down regular prices so I could figure out my savings, and I am not going to start...LOL! I know I saved, and that I saved even more than when I did needs shopping at Pick 'n Save. On average, I would say regular prices are 10-15% lower at Woodman's than at Pick 'n Save on the items I normally purchase.

If you would like to play "the game", first timers can sign up for a $1 four week trail at thegrocerygame.com. Tell 'em penny-penn at sbcglobal dot net sent ya! :D

I still have to make a trip to Walgreen's or CVS. I haven't decided which one I am going to hit this week, but I think it will be CVS since I have a couple larger ExtraCare Bucks that should be waiting to print.

He's Here

Back in January I told you about The Bronze Fonz coming to Milwaukee. At the time the estimated an unveiling of Labor Day, but it was a couple weeks ahead of schedule. The Bronze Fonz was unveiled today. Here are both versions (flesh & bronze...lol)...

The statue looks more like Wink Martindale to me than the Fonz. *snicker*

What Were You Wearing?

Do you remember what you were wearing ten years ago today? I do...

Happy Anniversary Bob! I love you!!

Confession about our wedding pictures: I don't really like any of the pictures of me from the wedding. Our photographer said my "real" smile looked too harsh in pictures and that I should try not to show my teeth when I smile. It made me very self conscious which in turn made every smile look unnatural and forced.

I wish I wouldn't have listened to that clod!

Digital TV Conversion

Last week I took grandma to get her DTV converter box. I swear that woman is going to drive me insane with it...LOL!

The PBS station in our area isn't broadcasting digital yet so she gets some other feed for that channel. I told her she will have to watch that channel the way she used to until Sept 1 when they start broadcasting.

The remote for the converter box only controls the box and the power for the TV which had to be programmed. I was very clear when I told her she needs to put down the new remote and use the old one if she wanted to watch PBS. However, she decided she could do it with the converter remote anyway. She turned on the TV, left the receiver off as she should, then tried turning on the PBS channel with that remote. Because that remote doesn't work with the TV it was still on channel 3 and she insisted that she doesn't get any channels at all any more on her TV. She ended up pressing so many buttons to try to get the TV to work that she deprogrammed the code for the TV power button.

While over there today, I fixed the problems, showed her how to get PBS to work, and wrote down all the instructions. So a few minutes ago she called and wanted to now why she only gets channel 3, but there are so many different "channel 3s".

I give up...LOL!!

Evening Rain

We have had a beautiful stretch of weather in recent days. Tonight brought some much needed rain. I enjoyed much of that evening rain curled up with a good book.

Tell me how many beads there are
In a silver chain
Of evening rain,
Unravelled from the tumbling main...
Thomas Lovell Beddoes

Canon's Captures

Here are a few shots I have taken with my new digital camera. I am lovin' it so far.

Yep, I still LOVE taking floral & sunset shots! :) They don't run away when I come with the camera like Bob, Olivia, Boomer, & Chevy do.

GRR!

Those Packers really know how to screw things up this season. They play their first pre-season game tonight. It just happens that the network that it is being aired on in the Milwaukee area is ABC. The same network that should be showing the finale of The Mole tonight. That episode will be shown, but not until SUNDAY AFTERNOON! Grrr -- what's wrong with airing it after Jimmy Kimmel like they do other shows that are preempted for whatever reason. Guess they don't realize one of the final three is from the area!

I know I can watch it online tomorrow, but it's just not the same so I feel like complaining!

For the record, I know it's not really the Packers fault, but after the saga of the last month or so I feel like blaming something else on them...LOL!

Photography for Two

Olivia hasn't gotten her "official" schedule yet, but her school uses a program where parents and students can check their grades. Olivia logged into that site yesterday and noticed her classes for the first term were listed. She got Photography. When she signed up we figured she wouldn't get it. There is only one class per year, the number of students are limited. They pick who gets into class seniors first, then juniors, and so on. It also goes by the date you registered for the class, but your grade comes first. Being a sophomore & signing up near the end of the registration period we figured Olivia wouldn't get it, but it was worth a try.

Looks like Olivia & I will be learning the same things this fall! :)

The school provides the cameras so we don't have to go on the hunt for another one. Thank goodness!

Back to the List

I don't recall if I mentioned it here or not, but shortly after the only grocery store that had a list available in my area closed I canceled my membership to the Grocery Game. I had more than enough stuff from CVS & Walgreens. I still used the principals of The Game to keep up my stockpile. The two years of requesting a list for my favorite grocery store has finally paid off. This week a list for that store became available! I have rejoined The Game.

I couldn't wait to use my list for the first time in nearly a year. The second I signed up I went though the list, marked the items I wanted to purchase, printed only those, pulled my coupons, and went off to the store. I couldn't find a single thing from that list. The whole time I was in the store I was thinking I am going to have to cancel if my stores sales are completely different the store the list maker uses. I was getting kind of bummed.

Later that evening, I decided I better read the game rules for my store. Apparently, I should have done that before I went to the store because I was a day EARLY! *snicker* On the bright side, my list is ready to go. I won't shop that list until the last day of the sale because it is double coupon day.

Guess I shouldn't have been so excited about getting back to the list & read the rules before running to the store! OOPS -- hehehe!

Two Steps Closer

Two steps closer to being all set for my photography class. Wednesday I picked up a camera bag & today I paid the tuition! The last step (unless I decide I deserve some back-to-school clothes -- hehehe) is the book. I have found several options to purchase it new at lower than bookstore used prices and a couple low priced used options as well. I will decide which one to go with next week.

The Answer

The answer to Tuesday's question is New York Jets. Brett has been traded to the Jets! Boo Green Bay Packers management!

What Will I Be Wearing This Season?

New York Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

I have a feeling we might know very soon.

Yes, I am Spoiled

Two cameras in two days! :)

I mentioned a while back that it was time for a new digital camera for us. I also mentioned that I would probably stick with Nikon. I was leaning toward the CoolPix S600. However, after reading some reviews & holding one in person I changed my mind. I ended up with the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS! They were the same price -- the Canon had a quicker start up & time between shots, the LCD is larger, the camera just feels sturdier, and everywhere I looked the SD790 got better reviews.

I have been playing around with it a bit yesterday & today, and so far I really like it. I can't believe how much faster (start up & from shot to shot) it is than my old Nikon!

Camera Located

I have found a Canon Rebel T2 that was only used with one roll of film. This person gets rid of clutter & I get something I need! WOOHOO!!

If my camera angel stops by, thank you from the bottom of my heart! :)