On the Road...

I will be away for a few days & will update my blogs when I return!

Happy Anniversary...

Dad & Carole!

(They still aren't taking or returning my calls, but I did my part by calling to wish them happy anniversary! Some day they will come to their senses.)

Bad Blogger

I have neglected my blog over the last couple weeks. I am finally getting into the swing of my new schedule with the photography class. It is taking much more time and work than I anticipated, but I do LOVE it. Hopefully, now that I have a routine set my blog won't be neglected!

Cool Hotel Photo Update

I got an email from a member of the marketing team for The Iron Horse hotel, and I will be able to share my picture with you guys. I print it on next Friday, turn it in for grading and will share it with you all once I get it back. Which should be two weeks from today!

Cool Hotel

This afternoon I took pictures at what might be the coolest hotel in Milwaukee -- The Iron Horse Hotel! I loved the look of this place so much. Man, I am speechless...LOL!!

I cannot say enough about how great the manager & the lady working at the front desk. They showed me several rooms and I was able to choose from those. They were even going to show me a "sleeping room". I chose The Library -- what an awesome room. In order to take the pictures, I had to agree not to post those photos online or sell them -- so I will not.

Why Did I Think of That...LOL!!

Done for Another Year

Our tax return is done and ready to be filed -- just need to head to the "tax man" to sign it & fork over $$ for a job that took him less than 10 minutes. How many more years do you think it will take me to convince Bob that our return is easy, peasy and we should be using a tax software program and doing it ourselves?

Flying Solo

I am now taking view camera without my friend. Class is from Fridays from 11AM to 5PM, but on the schedule the class was set up with three time slots. The first portion lecture, the second demonstration and/or lab time, and the third lab time to work on our assignments/projects. My friend did not see the third portion and works during that slot. She thought she could figure out a way to work it out, but could not so she had to drop. I'll miss her, but will do just fine on my own! :)

No Problem Found

We picked Bob's truck up from the garage last night. He hasn't had any trouble with it since picking it up. Hopefully, it was just a fluke.

On the Mend!

I think I am finally beginning to feel like myself again. Not 100%, but I am hopeful I am near the end of this cold.

It was not fun!!

Here We Go Again...

This time it's Bob's truck...

At an intersection not far from home, Bob's truck stalled. He was able to get it restarted after a couple tries. Since he wasn't far from the garage we use he decided to take it there instead of driving on to work. It stalled again in the blocks between where he was & the garage. This time it did start again on the first attempt.

It has been at the garage all day now and they cannot find anything wrong with it. They are going to keep it overnight & drive it again a bit tomorrow to see if anything happens. I'm crossing fingers it was just a fluke & we won't have to sink money into another car repair.

Happy Valentine's Day

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Under the Cover of Darkness...

Today was our first time in the darkroom for developing! We developed one of the shots we took last week (that's one of the advantages of sheet film -- you can process one at a time instead of the whole roll). Wow, was it strange to be in complete darkness like that. The only light was the "glowing" of the numbers on the dial of the time. We looked at them so long they began to look like blobs instead of numbers...lol!!

After 8 minutes in the developer, one minute in water, and three minutes in fixer, we are able to turn on the light to inspect our photos. WOW -- that was cool!!

I didn't get to inspect closely, but other than one tiny spot at the top corner I think the negative is good. I suspect, however, that this spot is from someone who wasn't careful at the drying cabinet. She knocked one of the rods down while film was in there drying which may have splashed the photos in the cabinet & caused it. I do not recall seeing that spot when I hung it in the cabinet. This is an ungraded "practice" assignment so we want to get our goof up out here.

Next week we will be printing! Woohoo!

To Dos

Why is it that the days you feel your worst are the same days your to do list is a mile long? I have a lot to do to get ready for my view camera class tomorrow. I know I will get it done, but it is going to take a bit longer than usual with this cold. Deep breaths...I will get it all done!!

The Bug has Arrived

Until today, we had not been hit by one of the cold & flu season bugs. I. am. getting. sick. UGH!!

Sneak Peak at Spring

The temps soared to 59 degrees today giving us a sneak peak of spring. The weather over the weekend was similar, and I was finally able to get the Christmas lights taken off the house. Don't worry we weren't turning them on anymore...lol!!

The snow is completely gone from our yard! I know some will be back shortly, but it will be nice while it lasts. This is the point in the year where I start to get spring fever.

Bummer!

My brother-in-law, sister-in-law, two nephews, and niece were in town Saturday to the spend the night before their Sunday flight to Florida. We had plans to hang out with them for a bit, but one of my nephews ended up sick and they had to cancel. The moved about 1.5 hours north of us a few years ago & we don't see them as often as we should. I miss them, and those kids are getting so big. Last time we saw Nick (their youngest) he was just learning to walk -- he's going to be THREE next month!

Jody & I should learn not to rely on the guys setting up a time for us to get together and just plan our own visits like we did when they lived here.

Tackling the Beast!

I actually used the view camera today, and totally love it! It's certainly a different beast! It is really strange to see the subject upside down and reversed. It will take some time to get used to that & which way to move the camera to adjust the crop in the frame. Yes, I moved it the wrong direction & lost my subject a couple times...LOL!!

On Book Reports

Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

LOL!! :D

Now That's Service!

Yesterday a little after 9AM, I ordered some supplies I need for view camera class. I had an email with tracking information by about 4PM, and had the products in my hands before 2 this afternoon. I will definitely be ordering from Calumet Photographic again!!

American Idol

Go Danny!!
He's from the area and several of my friends know him well.

Nice Day

Bob took a vacation day & we spent it hanging out at home, going out to lunch and spending money on stuff I need for my view camera class. This class is enough to send a person to the poor house. I have already spent $650 NOT including tuition & have more to purchase. I purchased a bunch of things from someone on Craigslist. Some of it I do not need and should be able to sell those items to cover some of the cost of my supplies. The rest of the items I need to purchase aren't needed until the end of the semester when we start work on our semester project.

Super Bowl XLIII

Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Arizona Cardinals 23

Good game and even better time with great friends!

Ready for Some Football

House in order -- CHECK
Snacks planned -- CHECK
Meal planned -- CHECK
Food purchased for snacks & meal -- CHECK

I am relaxing this evening & looking forward to spending time with friends. I need that down time after the last couple days! Boy, they were stressful!!

Tragedy on the Trails

This morning my brother & nephew were involved in a six snowmobile accident. One of their friends died & one is hospitalized. My brother & nephew are both OK -- thank God! My heart goes out to the families of the man who died and the one who remains hospitalized.

What a Day!!

Today started like any other day, but certainly did not end that way! There was a STABBING at Olivia's school. It boggles my mind to think that something like that can happen here, but we all know deep down it can happen anywhere.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions. I am sure as the day goes on we will hear more.

Preparing

We are having friends over to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night so I have busied myself with getting the house in tip top shape! A few things (cleaning the glass on our framed prints & photos, for one) have gone on the back burner the last few months. I also spent Sunday afternoon rearranging the living room to make TV viewing easier and love the way it is now. Don't know why I didn't put it that way sooner!

Love This...

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it. ~ Danny Kaye

This is My New Year's Day

January 26 must be a good day for me to begin something!

Five years ago today I changed my eating habits. More than half the weight has crept back on! I am still eating healthy (most of the time), but had kind of stopped "moving" in the couple months. I did maintain the loss of 6 lbs from the fall.

That brings me to what I started doing today! I started "moving" again! I went to a local indoor pool and swam a little over 1/2 a mile! It felt so good to be back in the pool again. I don't think I have swam since the triathlon! YIKES!

View Camera

View camera class started today! This class is going to be fun, but it is going to be a beast. The camera is WAY different than an SLR, the teacher is TOUGH, and we have to do BOOK REPORTS on each week's assigned reading from the text books.

Wish me luck -- I think I will need it! :)

Time Flies

Today was the last day of the first semester of Olivia's sophomore year. I cannot believe she is half way through the year already. Some days I don't feel much older than a sophomore! Then there are other days...lol!!

Even sophomores aren't too old for art projects. Well, not when they have an art class any way...lol!!

Searching

Our family room furniture has seen better days.

We would like to replace it eventually, but would like to hold off for a while. That means the search begins to find slipcovers that will get us through maybe a year or so with this furniture.

I don't want to have to completely redecorate the entire room so that means finding one in our current color scheme in that area of the house. Blue, green, yellow. I'm pretty sure I won't find a shade of green or yellow that would work, but I have seen a blue out there that will. The challenge is going to be finding it in the right fit/style for our pieces.

Wish me luck!!

New President, New Chapter in US History

I believe this remains the same...

The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think. James A. Garfield (20th President of the United States)

No Gala

There will be no pictures of Bob & I in our gala threads this year. We decided to skip it and spent the evening with a friend. We decided we would rather spend time with friends than making small talk with acquaintances. Bob spends so many hours at work with these people, and you know the talk would have turned to work. It was nice for him to have time away from that.

I am keeping the dress since it was a great deal, and I will be able to wear for other occasions since it isn't as dressy as previous dresses had been.

Vote for Me...

I'm not going to promise "change" or lower taxes (LOL), but I will promise being very grateful for your vote.

Voting is now open for the photo contest. Vote for your favorite (hopefully, it's mine...lol) at Write from Karen. Voting is open until Jan 21 @ 11AM central.

Winter Photo Contest

This is a "repost" of an image I took after one of our many snowstorms in December 2007. It's among my favorites of the winter pictures I have taken. Because it is a favorite I decided to enter it in a winter-themed contest at Write from Karen.

Say this 3X FAST

“Whether the weather be fine, Whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather, Whatever the whether, Whether we like it or not”

Hope everyone is safe & warm as much of the country has below normal temps.

Today's high: -2 with wind chills of -25 to -35 all day. There was no school and will be no school again tomorrow. The cold spell will break on Saturday when we will welcome 20+ degress and more SNOW! Woohoo! You don't have to shovel cold, but I would still much rather have snow than this subzero weather any day

Baby, It's BEYOND Cold Outside

It is 6 degrees out at the moment -- heading down to TWENTY BELOW tonight with wind chills approaching 40 below! Tomorrow we will not break 0, and it will be even colder tomorrow night. Over 550 schools have already canceled classes for tomorrow & Olivia's school is one of those! Woohoo! I think I might be more excited about that than she is.

Updated Entry

Images of my gala dress have been added here.

Back to Black (and Pink)

My house & blog have now had all traces of Christmas decorations removed from them. I love the season and the Reason for the season, but it is always nice to have things looking "normal" again.

Girl Time

Going out of dinner with the girls tonight. Tomorrow is my friend Erin's birthday & we are going out to celebrate! Good food + good friends = good times! :)

Dress Hunting Season

It's that time of year once again -- yes, time to find a dress for the Winter Gala. This year's gala is not black tie as it has been the past three years. It is cocktail instead. That doesn't mean much difference for me, but it means no tux for Bob.

I went out today & found one in about an hour. I tried on at least 30 and ended up with the second one I tried on! :D Can't really explain why I tried on so many. I even tried styles I wouldn't normally choose. I guess I was in the mood for torture...lol!!

It's made of matte jersey so not nearly as dressy as previous gala dresses.

Beading detail on straps at neckline.

UGH - photography class certainly has not improved the quality of my dress images...lol!!

Poor Boomer

About three weeks ago I came home from running errands, and Boomer was favoring his right back leg. Sometimes he would put no weight on it at all, but other times he walked with a slight limp. I called the vet, and they said to watch him for a day or so and if there was no improvement they should see him. He was fine probably less than 24 hours later.

A little over a week after that I noticed a small round sore the same leg near his foot. He has had hot spots before, and I figured that's what it was again. I treated it with the stuff our vet recommended for when he has one flare up. It showed some improvement until last week -- when he started licking & chewing at it more. It was worsening by the day so today I took him to the vet.

They took x-rays to make sure there was nothing going on in the bone -- all clear. They took some cells from the area (there is a lump there) to check for cancer -- all clear. They think he may have had some sort of minor injury like a bruise or sprain that he made worse with the frequent licking & chewing.

He is now has an oral antibiotic, a topical antibiotic/steroid, and this...

As you can tell from the picture, he's not very happy about the "Elizabethan collar"!

Project 365 is Ready, Set, Go!

I have joined the Project 365 craze which means I will be taking pictures every single day for the next 365 days and will post at least one on prizedpixels.blogspot.com.

I think this will be a fun way to keep track of what happened throughout the year. Not just the milestones & out of the ordinary events, but also the day-to-day things we tend to easily forget. I also know that the only way to get better at taking pictures is to do it! :)

Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I will taking & sharing them!

Work, Work, Work

I am working on "deChristmasing" the house. The real tree is undecorated and standing outside near the front door. I need to take it out of the stand and get it out to the road so the city mulchers can take care of it.

I also cleaned out our refrigerator this afternoon. If I didn't know any better I would think that baby was brand new from the looks of the inside. I must keep on top of wiping it out better than I think.

I have also been busy at work on my new project for 2009. It is called Project 365, and you guessed it that means I will take at least one picture a day to share with all of you. I am starting a new blog just for those images. I may add a word or two with the images, but for the most part it will just be an image I took that day. Not only will it be a quick way for me to look back on my year, but also (hopefully) improve my photography skills. That blog will be called Prized Pixels, and can be found at prizedpixels.blogspot.com. It will go "live" tomorrow sometime - I am still making a few tweaks and adding images from the first four days of the year. I will, of course, continue to write here!

Exciting New Project

I will unveil my new project on Monday! I am so excited about it that I will give you this one big hint: It involves photography!

*ugh*

Not the way we wanted to start the new year! Our refrigerator is not cooling. It has been emptied, unplugged and we are now living out of a cooler while we wait for a service on Monday! The freezer was still working, but we moved everything down to the large up right freezer. I plan to spend some time Sunday giving it a thorough cleaning! We had to throw out a lot of stuff -- there goes my stockpile! :(

Happy New Year

I wish each & everyone of you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2009!

Fun Times

Tonight Bob & I are heading out on the town with a few dear friends! I am really looking forward to it. I think we have spent every New Year's Eve since we have know each other home. We end up being asleep on the couch before the New Year even arrives. At least I know we will see it in this year. LOL!!

One Day at a Time

It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis. ~ Margaret Bonnano

Who Would You Call?

Warning: this could did get long!!

On Monday, December 22, 2008, my dear friend & fellow quote lover, Carolynn, posted a quote in her blog that hit me HARD! That quote: "If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call to make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?"

Since early September, my dad & step-mom are not talking to one of my brothers and I because we would not give them a substantial amount of money to bring their mortgage current so they could avoid going into foreclosure.

Some of you know how my dad & step-mom have struggled financially since my dad had a heart attack in July 2007. He applied for and was approved to receive Social Security. There was a short period where they had no income because SS had not kicked in yet & his pay from his employer had run out. My brothers & I loaned them some money until they could sell the second car they no longer needed. The car sold quickly, and we were paid back.

My step-mom does not work either and hasn't since before dad's heart attack. Obviously, the SSI is significantly less income than they were earning prior to the heart attack, but they still have done nothing to change their lifestyle. They have cable with premium channels, high speed internet, two cell phones, a land line, etc. He purchases pay-per-view movies. They go out to lunch and/or dinner as much as, if not more than, they did before. She shops like they don't have any bills & their income is what it was if not more than before. So, basically, they do nothing to help themselves.

It broke my heart to say no to my dad, but I knew I had to! Giving them the money would have only made a bad situation worse. (They did end up getting money from my uncle, but it turned out they did not need as much as he was saying.)

I have called him numerous times (two since reading the quote) and left messages. He will not return my calls. I know in my heart I did the right thing by telling them no, but it still breaks my heart to be on my dad's "list". He comes from a family with a long history of holding grudges. I would have thought that losing parents & your oldest brother while they are on "that list" would change break that cycle.

So, "If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call to make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?"

New Profile Pic

I had grown very tired of my old profile pic so I snapped about 30 or so self-portraits a few days ago. The best shot has replaced my old one. Here it is a bit larger, but not so large it will scare you away...lol!!

*sigh*

I love this view from the kitchen into the family room...

A BIG Surprise

Since we have done more than our part to try to boost the economy in the last six to eight weeks, Bob & I we would not exchange gifts. The computer was our gift to each other -- at least it was supposed to be. I did get him a movie (Get Smart) & the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas. That little stinker surprised me with this...

I spotted this one a couple months ago in the Coach case at a department store and fell in love with it. While out finishing up our shopping last week I spotted it on a table that was 30% off. I mentioned it to him, and forgot about it until I opened it Christmas Eve. He got an excellent deal thanks to that sale at & opening an charge account! It ended up being nearly 50% off retail! Woohoo!!

Now I am in the market for a new wallet. Hope to find one with that awesome bronze leather on part of it!

My Wish for You...

It's a Wrap

I can't believe I am not out shopping today or planning a late night wrapping session. All my shopping was done on Monday & I wrapped the last present this morning around 9:30.

We are home from our Christmas Eve church service (it was lovely) and now I am waiting for the turkey breast & potatoes to get closer to the finish line so I can get the veggies & rolls going.

It's just Bob, Olivia & I here today. After we eat we will watch a Christmas movie, open the gifts from Bob's parents & the new PJs Santa dropped off early. Then we will settle in for our long winter's nap...lol!

Hope you all are having a nice Christmas Eve with your family and/or friends!

One of the Last

My last post about Photo 101 until I get my slide scanner that will allow me to share my best images taken for the class with you all.

My final grade...

A

Snow Day

Both Bob & Olivia have snow days today! The snow started falling after midnight last night & by 5AM there was over 5 inches on the ground with more than that still to fall. The official total at the airport was 11.4, but we are about 10 miles southeast of there where totals are higher. We ended up with about 13 or 13.5.

Other than some light flurries that won't amount to much the snow is over. Our driveway and "porch" are all cleaned up & we're ready for he next round Saturday night into Sunday - another 4-7! Woohoo!

Should the 4-7 be right, that will move us to the second snowiest December on record. I'm hoping we smash the record of 49.5! Which is possible since we have snow in the forecast every few days & it doesn't look like that pattern will change any time soon.

Photo 101 is Over

Today was my last Photo 101 class! I am both happy & sad that it is over!

We watched the slide shows of all the students in my class. From the looks of some of the images, I'm not sure some of them got much out of the class, and at least one of them is a photography major.

I got a B, and am very pleased! I knew I wouldn't get an A since I wasn't able to work out time to shoot in the studio. If we shot in studio it had to be during my class hours, and with DD in school & mom at work during that time it just wasn't possible.

I learned a lot in this class and am looking forward to the next one which starts Jan 23!

Now to get those slides digitized so I can share some of my best images with you all.

Ta Das Times Three

1. semester project photos picked up CHECK
2. hair stylist gift purchased CHECK
3. Bob's secretary's gift purchased CHECK

Ta Da lists are so much better than to do lists! :)

Photo Shoot in the Bitter Cold

Today is the day that every single photo for my semester project needs to be taken. Olivia got out of school early today & we went to the park to take some pictures. Talk about not the best day to be at the park -- it was 12 degrees while we were out there. BRR!! Drove to a location, shot a few frames, went to the car to warm up...err...I mean to find a new spot!

The pictures are taken and have been dropped off for processing! I will pick them up tomorrow morning & am praying that this snow is mostly cleaned up by the time I have to make that LONG trek again!

He's Home

After a short getaway to New Orleans, my great husband is home! Hooray!

To Dos Turn to Ta Das

Yesterday was a pretty productive day!

Saturday's To Dos
pick up truck CHECK
take Olivia to bank CHECK
take Olivia to work CHECK
ship packages CHECK
drop off dry cleaning CHECK
buy slide film CHECK
meet friend for quick lunch CHECK
pick Olivia up from work CHECK
shoot at least three rolls of film of Olivia for semester project (weather did not cooperate!)
go shopping with Olivia (Olivia did not cooperate...lol -- teen attitudes have to have consequences, right?)
go to dinner with Olivia CHECK
go to see TWILIGHT with Olivia (see shopping)

I'm such a mean mom! :)

New "I Adore"

I have added another blog to my Blogs I Adore list in my side bar. Lisa from Coastal Nest is a fun lady with a GREAT talent for decorating. I want to move into her house!! :)

Ugh...

It took $654, but my car is ready for pick up. I have a full day planned for tomorrow that includes walking up to the shop to pick her up.

Since Bob is out of town I have been driving his truck. I like it a lot, but it's just not mine so I'm not as comfortable driving it. I'll be happy to be driving my little Blazer again!

Tomorrow's To Dos
pick up truck
take Olivia to bank
take Olivia to work
ship packages
drop off dry cleaning
buy slide film
meet friend for quick lunch
pick Olivia up from work
shoot at least three rolls of film of Olivia for semester project
go shopping with Olivia
go to dinner with Olivia
go to see TWILIGHT with Olivia

I need a nap after typing that...lol!!

Good News Time Two

1. Got my photography exam back and got 100%! Woohoo!!

2. Talked to my teacher today about the View Camera Techniques class waiting list. He said he would talk to the instructor of that class for me. He did, and I am able to join the class! All I have to do is show up on the first day & he will sign an "overload" so I can take the class.

Three cheers for cool instructors who will pull strings for their students! :D

Fun with Macro

A little over a month ago I spent a little time playing with the macro setting on my digital camera. These are the same daisies I used in my studio shoot for photography class. They lasted over two weeks and I got lots of photos using them...

You can see the rest of them here!

My "Bottom Part"

Shelbi over at Keeper of the Chocolates wrote a lovely entry about the things we surrender as mothers. Things that are less than perfect, but in the grand scheme of things are worth surrendering.

There are several things that come to mind for me, but the main one is Olivia's room. Especially her closet & drawers. My closet & drawers are in perfect order most of the time. Each piece of clothing has its place.

I got tired of nagging her about straightening her clothes, and a few years ago I gave up that battle. However, there is a trade off -- she is now responsible for putting away her own clothes and ironing anything that was shoved in a drawer that is too wrinkled to wear. If I find something she has not worn & put in the hamper because it was too wrinkled, I keep it for at least a week. We are both much happier that this issue has been put to rest.

The inside of her drawers can look like this...

As long as when the drawers are closed the dresser looks like this...


That was one sweet surrender!!

Tree #2

I finished decorating the real tree in the living room just a few minutes ago. I love the color scheme of ornaments on this tree, but I definitely need to find more ornaments that are NOT round, glass balls.

Abstract Photo Fun

Trouble Returns!

The end of last January I had to take my car in because it got "stuck" in 4 wheel drive. I was able to get it out, but it would not go back in. They kept it for two days trying to find a problem and found nothing. They reset something (I left last year's paperwork with them & can't recall what they reset.) It worked fine for the rest of last winter & for the little bit of winter weather we have had so far this year until Thursday morning. So that Chevy is spending a couple nights with our mechanic.

Confession...

I don't think I ever told you all that my mom is a "h00ker", and we're all proud of her...lol!

Rug h00ker that is...LOL!! The photos above are of the one made for me for last Christmas. I got it back recently because she entered it in a couple shows and wanted to photograph it for the records she is keeping of the projects she has done.

It will go in our home office -- the only room that hasn't been redecorated since we moved here in 2000. This rug will serve as inspiration for color & style. I can't wait to get going on it after I complete a few other projects!!

Poinsettias

in non-traditional colors make me smile...

Grr!

Why did we wait to sign up for view camera? As of about 10:00 last night, there were three spots remaining. This morning there was only one! My friend got the final spot & I am on #1 on the waiting list crossing my fingers someone will drop! And really hoping they drop before classes start. I will be checking my school email daily now since we have 48 hours to respond or it goes to the next person. Guess how many times that account had been checked before today. If you said ZERO, you are correct!

Final Exam

My photography final exam was today -- I think I did very well! Only two more classes to go...

Signing up for the next one tomorrow. I'll be taking a view camera class. Not so much to learn about the view camera as to learn to develop & to fulfill a requirement so I can take the Composition class that really interests me!

New Look

My new look is really an old look! I have revived my blog look from last winter, but with different font colors. The header has 2007 because that is when it was created. I am not confused about the year...lol!! I don't want to add my ancient photo editing program to my computer now, and have yet to pick up a newer version. Photo editing is not at the top of my list of priorities right now. Gifts to buy, gifts to wrap, cards to write and mail out, etc are priorities.

I think I have fixed the issue with a portion of the header disappearing in IE after scrolling to the bottom of the page and then back to the top.

Oh No!

I just realized my blog's dressed for fall & it's now time for winter! I will change my look in the next few days!

Tree #1

I got one of our Christmas trees up and decorated Sunday evening, but had to purchase a new topper. I was a bit sad the old one stopped working until I found the perfect replacement at Target today.

There are a few more pictures of our Christmas decorations here.

She's at it Again

A little over a year ago I introduced you to Shelbi -- jewelry maker extraordinaire! She is at it again at ShopMarigold.etsy.com. I didn't think it was possible, but her pieces are even more stunning this time around.

I've ordered two pieces from her in the last week or so:

• birthday gift arrived and is PERFECT for the person I had in mind.
• Christmas gift I just ordered last night so it hasn't arrived yet, but I know with Shelbi's talent it will be PERFECT for that person as well.
  

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone on your list, you cannot go wrong with a piece from ShopMarigold!

It's Here

My new computer arrived Saturday morning just as FedEx tracking said it would. I finally have the necessary files from the old computer (mostly photos) over to this one.

The wireless router was giving my trouble when I initially tried to set it up Sunday afternoon, but when I tried again Monday morning it worked like a charm and has ever since.

I'm still working on getting this room reorganized since we don't need the monstrous monitor taking up the entire desk any longer.

First "Real" Snow of the Season

We got our first real snow of the season overnight! Woke up to a beautiful white blanket -- the kind that sticks to the trees. I couldn't help but think I was driving through an Ansel Adams photo while I was driving Olivia & her friends to school.


Do not confuse my shots with those of Ansel Adams...lol!!

What the Heck

happened to last week?

Last week was a busy, busy week -- DH came home early a few times due to having meetings and/or speeches out of the office. We all know what having a husband home does to our routines, don't we? LOL!!

I did write a few thoughts down & will upload them by Wednesday...

TGIF

This has been one hectic week,and I am so glad it's Friday! For once we have no plans the weekend aside from church. I am looking forward to spending time at home. That's not just because my new computer will be here tomorrow! :D

Grade A Pictures

Aside from the week that I studied the wrong notes & ended up with an 82, my quizzes & tests have been in the A+ to A- range. However, the A in the assignment had alluded me until now that is...

I got an A on my studio lighting assignment -- woohoo!! That's the one I used this as the inspiration.

Checkin' Daily

I've been checking daily to see if the ship date for our new computer has changed. It hasn't so far! Fingers crossed it will ship on tomorrow! I can't play on a screen that I can actually see some of the images I have not been able to and to be able to look at & edit the photos I take again.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is Bob's dad's birthday! They moved to Tucson in 2006, and we haven't seen them since Aug '2007. We talk and email often, but it just isn't the same as being able to stop over at their house at any time like when they lived about 4 miles from us. I miss those days and look forward to seeing them soon!!

Hope you have a wonderful day, Dad! We love & miss you (and mom too, of course)!

Weight Loss Journey

I have moved to Phase 2 and am down 1 more pound -- coming off slowly, but at least I found something to get the number on the scale going down rather than up. The 2 weeks on Phase 1 must have been what my body needed to get moving.

I spoke with my doctor last week and am going to continue with what I am doing until early Feb. She will test my thryoid levels again & we'll discuss the need for seeing an endo then. Other than the uber slow metabolism all the symptoms that motivated me to have my thyroid levels checked are gone so I don't think there is any reason to run to a specialist at this point. When we have my numbers in Feb, it may paint a completely different picture, but for now I am comfortable with this path.

Sucked In

(pun intended...lol)

What do I have in common with millions of teens, including Olivia, and at least three other adults? I am addicted to the Twilight series. I finished Twilight in two days and will begin reading New Moon tonight.

Confession: This, this, and this are on their way to my house. Only one is for me. The other two will be under the tree Christmas morning for Miss Olivia.

SBD Week 2

Forgot to update you all on my weight loss progress from week 2 of phase 1. I lost 2.5 lbs from Nov 3 - Nov 9. That brings my total to 5, and more importantly, I had to buckle my belt one notch smaller. :)

Christmas Comin' Here Early

We're ordering a new computer tonight! A laptop - woohoo!!

C...Hopefully, the mouse doesn't arrive too far ahead of the computer & taunt me with his squeaking...LOL!! Yes, we're ordering your recommendation! :D

Thank You

Corpse Flower

Shortly after the election, the hype in the area turned from politics and to the butterfly garden at Milwaukee Public Museum. In 2002 a Titan Arum was planted, and it was expected to bloom any day. A Titan Arum is also known as the Corpse Flower for the rotting flesh smell given off when the plant blooms.

Saturday evening brought news of the plant collapsing and most had given up hope that it would bloom. However, it did today & you can see it here live. Thankfully, they don't have it hooked up to smell cam...LOL!! I don't know that the refresh is necessary anymore, but before it bloomed the plant grew at a rate of an inch an hour.

There is another Titan Arum in the butterfly garden that could bloom next year. See we aren't all about beer & the bronze Fonz...ROFL!!

Are You Job Hunting?

I hear there will be approximately 5000 positions open in the White House and Federal Departments, Agencies and Commissions. If interested in a non-career position, you can apply at change.gov.

I have to say thanks, but no thanks...LOL!! Can you imagine the headaches of any position career or not in one of those jobs? YIKES!! Not to mention the checks one would have to go through to be even interviewed in the first place.

Another Birthday Wish

Happy 60th Birthday to Pat*!!

Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating it your style
low key, just another day, no big deal...

*Pat is my step-dad who I prefer to think of as bonus dad!

One Down...

Quite a few more to go! I began Christmas shopping today. I hope to be done shortly after Thanksgiving this year. We'll see if that actually happens...

Happy Birthday Carolynn

Brown & Pink Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by PinkCakeBox

Hope you have a wonderful day, my friend!
xoxo

Today's the Day

End of Week 1 Phase 1

During week one, I lost a whoppin' 1.5 lbs. I didn't expect to have the huge loss I had during the same week the first time I did phase 1. I am slighly disappointed with such a small loss, but at least it's a move in the right direction.

Just for You, C :)

South Beach Diet "Revisited"

Most of you probably remember my post earlier this year about trouble with weight gain and other symptoms that had me thinking I had hypothryoidism. Most symptoms are gone or aren't as severe, but not the weight gain. I have gained more weight since then. I still eat healthy foods and appropriate portions, I exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Since nothing seems to be working, I have gone back to South Beach Diet Phase 1.

I never "left" SBD, but none of my doctors suggestions have worked so this is the last resort. If going back to the SBD Phase 1 works, I will move on to Phase 2 to lose that weight that has crept back. If Phase 1, again, does nothing, I will schedule another appointment with my doctor who will probably refer me to an endocrinologist.

My fingers are crossed that this will work!! Today is Day #2!