My Happy Place

Monday - Monday. Da-da-da-di-da-da....

2012-01-30T06:58:00.001-05:00

Do you have the Mama's & The Papa's stuck in your head now?

Good morning!

How was your weekend?

Mine - it was fine. :)

1. I had the day off Friday.

2. I got to spend quality time in my Creative Corner!

3. I completed one project & started to finish a 2nd.

4. I thought I was coming down with a bad head cold on Friday, but I took some major drugs & I've managed so far to keep it at bay!

5. Saturday Dream Boy & I putzed around. We can do that now that we're empty nesters.

6. Saturday evening we made reservations at Zazios - a fancy, schmancy Italian restaurant downtown.

7. We used our gift card that Son #1 gave us for Christmas & they had an extra special deal meal that night.

8. It was fabulous!

9. Sunday morning I ended up in urgent care rather than church.

10. Nothing major, just a rather annoying infection that I knew if I waited to see my own doc today it would only make me feel worse.

11. I've been on antibiotics for almost 24 hours now & it's much better, thank you very much.

12. Sunday was also spent reading, lazing around, watching movies.

13. We had a roasted chicken & roasted vegetables last night - including balsamic glazed brussel sprouts - yummmmmmm.

14. Back to school today.

15. Son #2 is going to be a senior witness at chapel this Friday so Dream Boy & I are taking the day off.

16. They only ask about 7 or 8 of the graduating seniors to do this.

17. Have I told you lately how proud I am of the men in my life?

18. God has blessed me richly.

Gotta go --- school will be starting soon!

Happy Monday everyone!

Sunday Scavenger Hunt

2012-01-29T11:54:00.002-05:00

I won't lie, I struggled this week with a few of our prompts.

But I was determined NOT to pull from my archives.

Here are my interpretations for SHS:

Smile

Libbi the Wonder Dog is never more happy & full of smiles than when she can be outside playing with her soccer ball.

Stand Alone

Every morning before the bell rings, I cherish those 15 minutes where I stand alone in my classroom prepping for the day.

Rusty/Something Old

This shot covers both prompts. This was a hand plow used by my grandpa years & years ago in his garden. I don't know exactly how old this is, but I know it's over 30 years since my grandpa lived in his house.

Artificial

Yes, artificial sunlight! In Michigan we don't see a whole lot of the sun in the winter and sometimes I just need that artificial boost. Oh, & I'm getting ready for my trip to the Florida shores soon!

Repeating Pattern

Outside my classroom is the repeating row of lockers.

Want to see more interpretations of Scavenger Hunt Sunday?
Click on this prompt

I Got Mail!

2012-01-28T11:28:00.001-05:00

So excited!

Yesterday was a day off from school & I spent it in my creative corner.

I can't show you the whole project because it's a surprise for my Valentine Craft Swap Partner in California, Lizette.

This is part of my swap gift for her.

I took a break to take Libbi The Wonder Dog out to play.

While she was chasing squirrels, I grabbed the mail.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I was so excited to get these:

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

But wait! There was another package in the mail.

I promised myself i would NOT open it until I had my swap gift completed...or at least almost completed.

So I waited until this morning to open my surprise package from Lizette.

I LOVE it!

Thank you so much Lizette!

I have had so much fun working on your little swap gift & I promise you it will be in the mail very soon!

Just waiting for some glue & paint to dry.

Now - Dream Boy & I are off to the 50% off sale at Goodwill.

Time for some thrifting!

I'm Elmo & I Know It....

2012-01-27T09:53:00.004-05:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with anything......but I saw this link today on FB & watched it.

It made me laugh out loud!

Enjoy!

P::52 Community

2012-01-26T21:54:00.002-05:00

I carried my camera pretty much everywhere with me this past week.

I had visions of this great photo that would represent "community".

My visions just didn't become reality.

On Wednesday we had a wedding shower for a fellow teacher. She has been waiting a long time for her boyfriend to propose. Last spring he finally did. They are having a "destination wedding" in Jamaica in March.

So we, the staff, wanted to celebrate with her. Since we won't be attending the wedding because we can't go because they won't give us the week off, we decided a luncheon in her honor would have to suffice.

I took several shots of everyone sitting around visiting and eating and talking....but they just didn't speak to me.

As I was going through the shots, this one popped out!

The look on Ms. K's face as she opens her gifts just speaks volumes of the "community" that we have within our building.

The community that when one of us hurts or one of is joyous or one of us is frustrated or one of us is celebrating, we all come together to help the one.

I love my job & the people I work with. We may not all agree on everything, but when the chips are down, they will rally around the one in need.

It's a special community bond.

I'm Learning

2012-01-24T17:53:00.002-05:00

Thanks to videos on You Tube & a techie cousin (thanks Melissa), bit by bit, I'm grasping Photoshop Elements.

While I'm still uber new at it & have a WHOLE lot more to learn, I'm still learning!

Look at my blog title ---- I did that!

It's just a beginning, but I DID THAT!

I'm so excited!

I don't know how many of you are users of the free Picnik photo editing online site, but they are shutting.down.

NOT happy about that.

I was shocked when I got the email earlier this week & bummed. It was like out of nowhere!

The only good thing about it is that they are refunding my FULL premium fee.

But with this news it has forced me to search more & more & really learn more & more about PE10.

After all, Dream Boy & Son #2 bought it for me for a reason, I need to learn it.

---and I am, bit by bit, step by step, more & more.

I'm learning.

You're never too old to learn are you?

2012-01-23T07:04:00.002-05:00

GooooooOOOOOOOOoooooood Monday Morning!

Sorry - but it is!

Don't you hate morning people?

I don't, I embrace them.

1. Technically, I'm not a "morning person", meaning I don't rise with the sun unless the alarm goes off.

2. But I am usually pretty chipper once I'm up! Ask any of the other chaperones who have traveled with me to Florida on our annual senior class trip!

3. I might be known for jumping on their beds if they don't get up. :)

4. I have a "short" week this week. A full day of school today, followed by 3 half days due to exams & then Friday off.

5. Maybe that explains my mood?

6. Or the fact that I'll soon be lounging on the beach in Florida with my Dream Boy.

7. Or that we bought a new stainless steal dishwasher this weekend due to the old one dying & we got this one in the scratch & dent aisle & there isn't one anywhere to be found on it!

8. Or I'm just in a good mood today - I'm "embracing" my day.

9. Okay - okay, I'll stop now.

10. How was your weekend? Our's started out with another snow storm Friday night, subzero temps on Saturday but it's supposed to hit near 40 today with rain.

11. Lovely.

12. Where are the harsh winters of when I was little? Piles & piles of snow. Miss those winters, really - I do.

13. I really, really need to go or I'm going to be late for school.

Hope your Monday is fantabulous!!!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

First off, I want to thank my Dream Boy for jumping in the car with me at the last minute.....literally.....last night to capture a sunset.

It's January.

It's Michigan.

We don't see much sun here this time of year.

As for the other prompts, I tried to be a little creative, not jumping to the "norm" or the obvious.

Here are this week's interpretations:

Sunset

What a welcome sight after a week of clouds, snow and rain.

Black & White

I had to play around with my PE10 - playing with a new technique i learned here.

A Day In My Life

Thankfully this isn't every day - but it does happen!

Four

My favorite Four feet. Yes, this is how she sits----such a lady.

Colorful

On one of our rare sunny days this winter - last Sunday morning to be exact - Dream Boy happened to look up our hill at the towering pine tree & saw this beautiful Cardinal with the sun shining on it.

It's beautiful red was so bright against the dark green pine tree.

So there you have it.

Want to see more? Head on over to Ramblings and Photos.

P::52 Shine

2012-01-19T16:06:00.000-05:00

When this prompt came up last week my 1st thought was "how is that gonna happen?" We were bracing for a major winter storm Thursday night that could possibly dump up to 12 inches of snow on us before it was over!

January is not known as a "sunshine" month in Michigan & with pending storms in the forecast followed by a rainy forecast, it was very unlikely I would see any sunshine for a long time.

So I kept my camera with me pretty much 24/7 in hopes that maybe a "shiny" object might appear or inspiration for this prompt might appear out of no where.

On Saturday Dream Boy & I were out & about doing this and that.

One of our adventures was to go shopping for wine. We headed into World Market, one of our favorite stores.

After milling around & filling our basket with fresh coffee beans and a few bottles of the vino we started to meander to the front of the store.

I always love to wander through the aisled of glassware. You never know what unique & intriguing things will pop up.

As I turned the corner to go down an aisle of glasses, the sun began to shine through the front windows of the store and the rays reached this row of glassware:

The glasses just sparkled!

Thankfully I had my camera stashed in my purse & I pulled it out quickly. Dream Boy just gave a little laugh & went on his merry way while I clicked a few.

Then another person came around the corner & the look on his face when he saw me taking pictures of glasses was enough to tell me he thought I was more than a little strange.

My motto...or actually my "one little word" for this year:

Embrace

So I continued to "embrace" my camera & take a few more shots & I embraced the fact that I really didn't care what Mr. Man thought of me --- I was having fun!

Next week's prompt:

community

I'm Trying...

2012-01-18T16:37:00.001-05:00

I'm trying. I've started it before, but never finished it.

Last year I started and completed a P::52 project and I'm doing it again this year.

I've started a 365 Project---again---let's see how far I can make it this year.

So far I've just taken the approach of not over thinking it.

I've managed to get a shot every day through yesterday.

Some shots I've put thought into and tried some new techniques. Some are just SOOC and that's okay.

The point is, I drag my camera literally everywhere I go -- I need to learn to take it out & use it. To just shoot, maybe try to expand my process, my skills or just take a shot of what that day is about.

There's no rhyme or reason - it's all about making the effort & just trying!

Monday Morning Coffee

2012-01-16T09:15:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

This pic from our snow day last Friday. Me & Libbi the Wonder Dog went out & played some snow soccer.

1. I have the day off again today because the "real" teacher's have professional development.

2. The sun is shining this morning.

3. It's 24 degrees outside which I think is warmer than it got all day yesterday!

4. We're having a heat wave~~~a tropical heat wave.

5. Dream Boy & I had a very nice, relaxing weekend.

6. We went dishwasher shopping. Fun, no?

7. We went wine shopping. Fun, yes?

8. We went grocery shopping. I know - hold yourselves back, the excitement is almost too much for you, isn't it?

9. Seriously, it was a very nice weekend. Just being together was so sweet. I love how after 33 years of dating & marriage we still have fun together.

10. I have a new crafty friend in California. Her name is Lizette and she's my Valentine Craft Swap Partner.

11. We hooked up over here. I stumbled upon this blog a week or so ago & decided to play along with their Valentine Craft Swap!

12. I ordered new sunglasses for my upcoming trip to Florida:

13. Love, no?

14. I have a 4 day school week & then next week is 1 full day, 3 half days & 1 day off.

15. Mama's gonna get some craft on!

Hope you have a happy Monday.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2012-01-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

Week 2 of Scavenger Hunt has come and gone. I was able to capture each prompt without having to search through my archives. When I saw "winter wonderland" as one of them on the list last week I was a little concerned since it was in the upper 50s the 1st part of the week. Not normal temps for Michigan this time of year. But Mother Nature did not fail & we were hit with a major storm on Thursday night and through out the day Friday.

Without further ado....here are my interpretations for this week's hunt:

Stacked Up

Freshly cut and freshly stacked fire wood.

Winter Wonderland

Sweet

These beauties graced my table all last week.

Hole

I talked a few of my students into helping me on this one!

Frozen

This was the frozen mass of snow left over from the week before.

Want to see more interpretations?

Head on over to

Ramblings and Photos

Snow Day

2012-01-13T17:22:00.003-05:00

At 5:08 this morning I got the robo-call, or rather Dream Boy did.

No school due to adverse weather conditions.

Ten minutes later my principal called me and told me the same thing.

So I drifted back into my dream land for a few hours.

A winter storm warning had been issued yesterday and we were likely to see 3-6 inches of white stuff on our edge of the storm, but the further west you head (towards the lakeshore) the worse it gets.

After some coffee and blog reading Miss Libbi The Wonder Dog and I headed outside with camera, tri-pod and soccer ball.

I took lots of pics and have spent the afternoon playing with my Photoshop. I've been watching tutorials and just clicking at this & that trying to get a grip on this program. I've learned, like with anything else technology related, that I just have to dive in & click away. Somewhere there is usually an "undo" button to undo what you just did. Also, it helps to play on a copy too.

Here is one of my favorite outcomes of my clicking away...

BEFORE editing:

AFTER editing:

Oh.my.goodness!

I'm in love - truly in love with the after!

Oh the possibilities! I'm so excited to learn even more. I am actually going to get private lessons from one of our teachers who teaches this stuff at school sometime this next week.

I guess it's the little things, but oh they amount to such BIG happiness!

P::52 New

2012-01-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

Well, it's a new year and a new round of P52 Photos has started.

Our prompt for this past week was "new".

My 1st thought was this shot:

A "new" full family photo.

We're starting a "new" tradition this year.

Once a month we are having a family dinner. The boys' have agreed that they will come home one weekend night a month and if the girls are around, they will come too.

So our 1st family dinner was this past Saturday night. We feasted on shish-ka-bobs and rice and finished the night off with brownies and mud slides!

We have family pics with just girlfriend #1 and family pics with girlfriend #2, but none with both of them in the same picture.

So we remedied this with the shot above.

Even Libbi the Wonder Dog made sure she was in the shot.

Then I decided I needed to take it a little further and try to stretch my imagination and photography with a different concept.

If you follow me you know that I got an early Christmas present for myself. So I have been playing with them off and on. I got out my +4 filter today and some frozen peas. I don't know why I chose peas, but I did.

So here's my interpretation of this weeks P::52 prompt "new" taken with my "new" macro filters:

This makes me happy.

Now to start thinking of shots for next week's prompt-----"Shine".

With the winter storm we're getting right now, I don't think my pick will have anything to do with sun"shine"!

Frustration Makes Creations

2012-01-10T22:47:00.001-05:00

Remember the other day when I was "beyond frustrated"? I was venting to all of you about how frustrated I am with my new Christmas present::Photoshop Elements 10. I just haven't had the patience to work through it. But I think I have found a personal trainer! Ha-Ha! I have a techie teacher/friend at school who has agreed to give me some lessons after school sometime this week or next.

But in the meantime, I'm taking my frustration out with beads & jute.

My boy's girls loved them...

Do you?

I'm thinking of making them to sell.

Interested?

Leave me a happy thought or email me at mamagdog@aol.com.

I'll make them to order, but know that colors & buttons will vary.

A double wrap is $12, a triple wrap as shown above is $15.

I have lots of colors.

I have lots of frustration to work through.

Thanks for listening to my earlier frustrations!

It helped.

Really.

It helped me focus my creativity in a different direction.

Thanks, I really needed that!

Monday Morning Coffee

2012-01-09T07:05:00.001-05:00

Good EARLY Monday morning.

Yes - early!

After having 2 weeks off, it was really hard getting up with the alarm clock today. Maybe that's why I look a little sleepy in my pic?

1. I'm having a brownie for breakfast today. Breakfast of champions!

2. In six weeks I'll be laying on the beach - can.not.wait!

3. We have 2 weeks left of school in this semester.

4. That means I have to become mean Mrs. G to some of my students who have been slacking and are possibly not going to pass.

5. Is it wrong that I'm already counting the hours til I get home from school & can take a nap?

6. Happy note - the boys & their girls were home Saturday night for dinner.

7. This is a new tradition we are starting. We all agreed that we would have a family dinner once a month.

8. They even stayed & watched a movie with us!

9. Son #2 starts his grown up job today. Pray for him.

10. Son #1 is going back to school this semester! Pray for him.

11. Mama G has to leave now, I have to go back to school too.

Happy Monday y'all!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2012-01-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

Something new this year.

I followed this throughout most of 2011 & decided to give it a shot this year.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

Over on Ramblings and Photos every Sunday, Ashley will post her 5 interpretations of the week & a new list for the next.

Here's mine for this past week:

One Color

On Sunday, 1/1/12, we had our 1st snowstorm of the season. Near white out conditions were prevalent through most of the night.

Laundry

There was a day that I did laundry pretty much every day of the week, but now that we are empty nesters it's once or twice a week.

Saturday was wash all the bedding day:

I know - exciting, right?

Empty

I like to have chocolate around when I'm crafting in my Creative Corner. It makes my heart a little sad when the box is empty.

One Dozen
Dinner with the family last night. The boys' came home along with their girls, for family dinner. It's a tradition we are starting - that they come home one night a month and we have a family dinner.
Last night we grilled shish-ka-bobs. This is one dozen steak-ka-bobs.......that went along with the shrimp-ka-bobs & the chicken-ka-bobs.

Soft
Libbi the Wonder Dog.
She's a labrador retriever. Normally when they grow out of their puppy stage their coats become more wiry and course. Libbi's has remained as soft as it was when she was a puppy. One of my favorite spots on her is her nose - especially when she nuzzles up to me for a kiss-kiss.

If you want to play along, here is the link back to Ashley's blog!

http://ashleysisk.com/search/label/Scavenger%20Hunt

Enjoy!

Beyond Frustrated....

2012-01-07T14:33:00.001-05:00

Everyone talks about how great this is..

but can I tell you how frustrated I am with it right now?

I'm sure it's a great tool once you figure it out, but figuring it out is overwhelming to say the least. At least for me. I can usually figure out "techie" things, but this one is so complicated....

I have found some great tutorials on YouTube - I've been successful with those in figuring some things out.

But yesterday I found a tutorial on Ali Edwards on how to put 2 pics on one 4x6 photo for printing purposes! I wrote it down step by step. Her tutorial was so clear and it made it seem so easy. I've gone back to it numerous times but when I follow the steps on my PE10 it isn't the same!!!!!! What am I missing, besides brain cells at this point? Ugh!

So - I am once again shutting down the PE10 & making bracelets.
THOSE I know how to make.

Part of it is my learning curve - I want to know how to do it and I want to know it NOW! I don't want to have to sit through video after video to figure things out, just do it now! I'll figure it out at some point...... probably later rather than sooner, but I will.
I could take a class from my photography teacher but I'd rather go to Florida next month than pay $240 for a 12 week class. Selfish? No - just a much needed vacay with the Dream Boy!

So, I'm going to go make bracelets and then maybe I'll try my luck at PE10 again.......later!

How are you spending your Saturday?

Oh - did I mention all the chillens' are coming home for din din tonite? We're having shish-ka-bobs.

Yum.

2012-01-05T13:53:00.001-05:00

This is what I did yesterday with 2 of my dear friends' from school...

Remember - I told you Mama G Flat was going to make regular appearances this year? Well, it's begun...

We ate lunch together & then we sat back in front of the fire place & watched Bridesmaids. Educational TV - now that's what I'm talking about!

Today I spent 30 minutes on the tredmill and then 2 hours balancing the checkbook. No - it wasn't that bad, I was. I haven't done it in like 6 months. That is a goal of mine this year - to stay more on track with that. It wasn't out of whack too bad at all, it just needed to be done!

Now that my brain is toast & my hands are "Comet Clean" due to scrubbing the bathtub & toilet & bathroom counter, I am going to tackle this...

My December Daily. I'm on Day 20 or something like that, so not much more to do. I am in the mode & want to get it done though. My brain is whirling with many other ideas & projects & I've promised myself that they won't get started until this one is finished.

There's a "to do" list pinned up there under the big red L on the right side of those other ideas.....& I have more to add.

So for now, I'm going to pop in "27 Dresses" and get my craft on!

Right after I catch up on my blog reading......

Creative Corner

2012-01-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

One of the things I'm thinking through and trying to work on is spending more time in my Creative Corner. After all, Dream Boy & My 2 Sons built it for me as a Christmas gift a few years back & I must take advantage of this gift, right?

I, at one time, was an avid scrapbooker.......I still do it from time to time, but I'm more into making my own books and the photography side of it now. My creativity seems to flow better when I create from scratch rather than in a pre-made book of sorts. I have oodles & oodles of pictures to scrap & I will work on them from time to time, but I still end up going back to my own creations.

I look at my top shelf in my Creative Corner & love the row of hand made creations.....Circle Journals, Travel Journals, Picture Boxes....oh....and my version of Flat Stanley!
Well, ~~Flat Stanley~~, er, Mama G Flat, will find a new purpose this year. My mind is spinning with ideas as I write this post!
As I look around me I see projects half done - projects in the process and projects not even yet begun.

Last year I read somewhere, pardon me for not being able to remember where, this idea for a "time capsule" of sorts.

I took a small jar, inserted a family photo & throughout the year dropped little mementos in it.

Today I pulled that small jar from my shelf..

....and had a look inside.
Most of it was ticket stubs from movies & soccer games, but it defined a lot of what I enjoyed this past year.

These will be put into a book of sorts, but for now will remain in my 2011 Jar of Memories. I will make a new Memory Jar for 2012.
I have spent the last few days in my Creative Corner trying to decipher my new Adobe Photoshop Elements. It can be SO overwhelming! But I did find a great series of tutorials on YouTube that are helping greatly.
One thing I did accomplish in my Corner is this:

A re-usable calendar. The price of calendars is seriously extreme! So I was looking around my Creative Corner & saw this 11x14 poster frame still in it's original packaging. I believe this is from the massive collection I inherited 3 years ago when my dad died. So I came up with this concept! I made my own calendar template and matted it, complete with a few embellishments & framed it in. I used dry erase markers for the month & can wipe it off each month & start anew! If I tire of the of the matting behind it I can always switch it out! Easy peasy!
In my reflections I have jotted down several ideas and things on my "to do" list. As the days pass, I will sort through this list & prioritize it as to how & when I want to accomplish the items on it. Some are at the top of my list to do now & others can be worked on as I want.
I just know that I want to use the gift of creativity that God has so graciously blessed me with. I want to use it much more in 2012 and see where it takes me.
I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

Monday Morning Coffee

2012-01-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

I know it's late, but what can I say?

It's my 2nd week of Christmas vacation & I'm taking full advantage of it.

It's my 1st day alone in the house in over a week in the morning. Dream Boy went back to work today & son #2 went back up to his house in Holland for the New Year's weekend last Thursday.

It's just me, Libbi the Wonder Dog and Angel Kitty.

I kinda like it.

So......I'm still in my jammies-----

....don't judge me.

1. I'm taking my time with the coffee this morning & reading blogs, emails, tutorials, etc.

2. I just downloaded my 1st digital kit. Now that I have photoshop I can do that.

3. I don't have a clue what I'm doing, but I bookmarked a "how to" site to help me learn.

4. We got our 1st snow last night & are still in a "winter weather warning" until 8pm tonite. Right now there are shadows on my living room wall which tells me the sun is trying to peak through, which tells me the warning will probably be lifted by noon, which tells me we probably won't see the 8+ inches of snow they warned us of.

5. I'm kinda bummed that we aren't getting that dumping. Don't tell anyone, but I like the snow...when it's here. When it's not, then it should be a balmy 80 degrees out and sunny......in January.

6. Did you make any resolutions? Do you believe in resolutions? Do you keep your resolutions?

7. I didn't, I don't & that's why I don't worry about keeping them. Just sayin....

8. Did I mention I still have a full week off from school?

Jealous?

9. We spent New Year's Eve with our good friends (whom we'll be in Florida with in just 7 weeks).

10. Dream Boy cooked us dinner & then we all went to a movie, "The Descendants", then we walked around downtown & it was hopping! Then we went back to our car on the roof of the parking structure to watch the ball drop & then the fireworks which were shot from the roof of the parking structure directly across the street!

11. We were so close that all my firework pictures are clouded with the smoke.

12. I'll have to figure out in my photoshop how to fix that - I know you can, I just don't know how----yet.

So I suppose I should move along now so I can accomplish a few things today that are on my imaginary list.

I hope your Monday is a great one!

Happy New Year...

2012-01-01T21:22:00.002-05:00

....and with it enters our 1st snow storm of the year!

Christmas Present Has Arrived!

2011-12-31T13:55:00.000-05:00

I don't think I ever mentioned my Christmas present from Dream Boy & Son #2.....it's this:

So now I have to be really serious about my photography, right?

Other than loading the software onto my computer, I have NO idea where to start....but like everything else - I'll figure it out at some point.

I'm open to ideas from any of you too.

This morning as I was reading through my blogs so many were posting of memories from this past year and hopes & dreams for the new year to come.

Dream Boy & I went shopping this morning for our dinner with friends' tonite. He's cooking - I'm enjoying!

We were talking about some things in regards to the New Year.

1. We want to have family dinner's with our boys & their girls at least one Sunday every month. Whether we go out, we cook & eat in, we pack a pic-a-nic basket & head to the beach.....this is a priority for us this coming year!

2. We are going to Florida.....for a whole week.......in SEVEN weeks! I am stoked! We haven't been there since my dad died in 2008. Yeah, yeah, I go back every spring for a quick whirlwind trip with my high school seniors, but that is SO not a week on the beach. Can.not.wait!!

(the rest of these are my thoughts for the New Year)

3. Our bedroom, which has been painted once in 20 years and is still the ONLY white room in the house, WILL be redone this year at some point! I know the colors I want, I know I want to either paint my head/foot board white OR make a new one like this one on Remodeling This Life.

4. I am going to work at learning how to beef up my blog and website and make them much more user friendly & exciting!

5. Make a point to spend more time with my sisters. They are there for me, just as I am for them, but we don't spend enough time together other than holiday's. This needs to change!

6. Continue my bike riding quest I began at the end of last summer. It's hard in the winter, but it will become something I do more of in the summer. I really enjoy it.

I'm not making this big, huge list of "to do's/resolutions" - these are just things I know I need to attend to more this next year. I've come to enjoy my life as it is - simple and uncomplicated.

Now I'm off to download some software & maybe take a little nap before our festivities begin!

Here's to a safe & happy ringing in of the New Year!

I hope to see and hear (I love happy thoughts on my posts) more from all of you in 2012.

Remembering 2011........

2011-12-29T16:29:00.002-05:00

I've spent the day going through pics from this past year.

I've compiled them into this little video.

The music has no rhyme or reason as to why I picked it, other than they are songs I like & listened to repeatedly through out this past year.

Here's to new memories & new journey's in 2012!

2011 Memories

2011-12-27T10:41:00.000-05:00

Just a few memories of where these feet have been this past year........

......here's to many more memories and places in 2012!

Monday Morning Coffee

2011-12-26T09:22:00.001-05:00

It's late today for coffee, but what can I say.

I have the day off and I have a bad cold and I have been go-go-go the last 2 days it seems, that I'm taking it easy this morning.

Because I can.

Did you have a wonderful day yesterday?

We did.

1. Dream Boy & I woke up and had coffee & donuts for breakfast.

2. Son #2 had spent the night at Son #1's home on Christmas Eve.

3. Both son's & a girlfriend were home and we had our Christmas together around 1pm.

4. But not until after we had our Christmas omelets prepared by Dream Boy.

5. We exchanged gifts - and during that time I was able to capture last wek's P::52 prompt "Joy"

6. Dream Boy made a "kegerator" for Son #1 for his garage. The look on his face is worth everything to us. It's hard to surprise Son #1, but it was accomplished & the smile on his face says it all. Son #2 in the background is just as happy (even though he's a little blurry-he moved).

7. We then packed up and headed to my sister's house for our yearly Christmas Day gathering.

8. With our parents both gone, we make sure that we spend this time together every year. It's important to us.

9. We also started the tradition when our parents were both still alive of an annual family photo. It used to be a chore to get everyone to cooperate, but now it's just done & no one complains.

10. We even get a little silly after we've taken a few good one's.

11. And this is where my photo for this week's P::52 prompt comes in....."celebrate".

...and celebrate is just what we did this whole past weekend.
Happy Boxing Day to my Canadian family & friends.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-25T09:24:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2011-12-24T10:25:00.001-05:00

I'm off celebrating a King's birthday with my family & friends.

If you don't know this story, you can celebrate too......please watch!

Happy birthday to a king ---- Jesus!

A Silly Little Christmas Song....

2011-12-23T09:03:00.000-05:00

I am officially off on Christmas break. Our last day of school was yesterday.

I woke up with a head cold today.

My student's love to share.

So this morning I'm enjoying sitting in my pajama's & reading my favorite blogs.

I got to "Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living" he had this little ditty posted....

"I Farted On Santa's Lap"

I immediately thought of my dad - he always loved Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. He would LOVE this one!

Merry Christmas everyone!

From Pinterest To Reality

2011-12-21T17:54:00.003-05:00

Are you on Pinterest?

I.am.

I have been on Pinterest since last spring.....and it seems like all of a sudden it is booming!

Anyways.....if you're not - you should be.

Anyways.....I pin & pin & pin & Dream Boy pins some more onto my boards. I don't always know what he'll put on there, but it's usually pretty funny & it also shows how well he knows me!

Anyways.......I have grand ideas of trying this or trying that. Once in a while I accomplish one of those grand ideas.

I don't know where I got this idea - I swore I had pinned it to my "Creatively Thinking" board, but apparently I didn't.

But I did remember how to make them.

So.I.Did.

Easy - peasy - lemon - cheesy!

All you take is a plain ornament, whichever color you choose.

Then you take a can of spray paint, any color you choose to compliment your ornament.

Take a bucket, bowl, anything you can spray paint into. I used an empty yogurt tub. Fill it about 3/4 of the way with water. Spray a coat of your paint into the water. Go ahead - it will float on the top like an oil slick. Then take your ornament and dip it into the water, being careful not to submerge all the way.

The paint will stick to your ornament giving it a marbleized affect. Some of my ornaments I dipped twice or swirled around a little to get a heavier affect. You will probably have to spray the paint into the water every 2 ornaments or so.

Oh, also be ware that the paint will spray back up a little when it hits the water, so wear gloves & short sleeves.

I made a make shift clothesline over my sinks in my laundry room & hung the ornaments up there to drip & dry.

I got my ornaments at Michael's at 1/2 off - 8 for $4.00.

A quick, easy little gift for anyone you may still want to give a little something-something too!

Merry Christmas!!

I'm Not Here...

2011-12-20T06:57:00.004-05:00

.....because I'm here today.

In Sweden.

Yes, I said, Sweden.

Elisabet invited me.....

...you're invited too.

So go here for a quick trip before the holidays.

I'm there - why don't you join me?

Go ahead, click on the link and join me in.......

......Sweden!

Time For Coffee....

2011-12-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

Well it's the week OF Christmas - are you ready?

Dream Boy & I headed out bright and early (for me anyways) on Saturday morning to do our shopping.

It was a snowy, icy morning & not many cars out - or people, so we managed to do some major damage before the crowds really took over.

1. We shopped all day & then went home & took a power nap before heading out to dinner with 5 other couples.

2. I ate enough on Saturday to feed a small 3rd world country - seriously.

3. I won't be doing that again.......for a very long time.

4. Son #2 came home for the Christmas break.

5. I had some time to get a little creative yesterday....

6. Son #1 and his girlfriend met us at church last night for the Christmas Candle Light Service & pageant.

7. Dream Boy was a shepherd.

8. Then the church was darkened and this happened....

...9. and we sang "Silent Night".

10. We came home for dinner and ate very late, but it was a nice dinner.

11. I have to drive to Grand Rapids tonite to pick up my Aunt & Uncle who are flying in from Arizona.

12. Only 3 more sleeps & I am off from school for 2 weeks!
13. It's the 19th and I haven't even watched "White Christmas" yet! What's up with that?

14. Gotta go - running late and I haven't even made my lunch yet!

Happy Monday - I hope you have a great day!

Perspective & A Christmas Tea

2011-12-16T07:09:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to a Christmas Tea - a yearly tradition with my sisters.

Their church has a "tea" for the ladies.

Different ladies will sponsor a table and decorate it complete with candlelight. They then invite 7 other women to join them at their table for coffee, tea and dessert.

I had gotten there early as our power was out at home & I was bored. So I sat in my car in the parking lot gazing at the brightly lit display of Christmas lights next door at the library.

Our prompt this past week for P::52 was 'perspective". I've thought a lot about this word & in my mind tried to capture what shot would best show my thoughts.

The display of lights drew me closer & I pulled out my camera & new macro filters to play. I practiced on taking shots using the bokeh affect.

Soon it was time to go into tea, so I put the camera away for a while & went inside the church.

We enjoyed coffee and red velvet cake, along with lots of fellowship & laughter.

We acted out the reading of "The Night Before Christmas". My sisters, nieces & I were the reindeer.

"On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer & Vixen" was read & we stood up and "pranced" our way out of the fellowship hall & "to the top of the roof & the top of the wall" --- "we dashed away" upstairs!

We also sang some favorite Christmas songs & carols. One of my favorite songs is Silent Night & on the last verse the pianist quit playing & it was a beautiful blending of women lifting their voices to God's glory as we sang.

Gives.me.chills.

Then we had a guest speaker & as I sat & listened to her speak about how easy it is to lose our focus of the true meaning of Christmas because the secular world buries us in commercials & decorations & Santa's & baking & cooking & hustle/bustle.......I felt myself being drawn back to that manger so many, many years ago. A lonely, scared young girl with the man she had yet to marry goes into labor with no where to go. In a dirty stall, a barn, she gives birth to a King. A promise for everlasting life.

This photo came to mind & my "perspective" was brought to the front of my mind. With the activity all around us, the bright lights, it is all because of that child born in Bethlehem that we celebrate this season.

As you hustle around this next week finishing up all your shopping & touches, remember to keep things in perspective. This is a season of joy, a season of love & family, a season to give of yourself to those who may not feel joy & love.

From me......and my sisters and my nieces...

Merry Christmas!

An Early Present...

2011-12-14T17:42:00.000-05:00

....to me from........me? Although I'll let Dream Boy take credit for it if he wants.

While doing some online Christmas Shopping at Amazon I came across these...

A macro filter set.

While taking my photography class we did a session on macro shots. I've always been intrigued by those close up shots, but the cost of a macro lens is a little out of my reach.

My teacher had a set of these - I fell in love immediately!

I started browsing around & found sets starting from $40 and up! Then I found these - $12.

Oh.My.Goodness!

When I placed my order I saw what the shipping was going to cost - ouch!

If I ordered just $10 more in product then my shipping would be free! The shipping was more than this filter set, so B.O.N.U.S!

They were awaiting me yesterday ----- I've been playing with the Christmas tree & bokeh & & & & &......

I'll show you some of my outtakes when I get some that I really, really like!

Oh, remember that humungo limo I told you I rode in last weekend?

Told ya so! I had to crawl out of in on my knees! How do the rich & famous climb in & out in their fancy, schmancy dresses & heels?

I got to toast (sparkling juice) my mother-in-law with this little lady...

....Ella!

We had a splendid dinner together....

....Miss Ella & I!

Here is the reason we were all together celebrating...

...my sister in law's 50th birthday and my mother-in-law, just because she's a mom!

This is a 4 generation shot.

MIL-SIL-Niece & Great Niece.

Now to go play with my new Christmas present.......or maybe I'll go eat the beef stroganoff that's in the crock pot making my mouth water, along with the fresh loaf of bread cooling on the cutting board next to it. Not sure if I can wait for Dream Boy to get home........

Toodles!

Coffee Time

2011-12-12T07:04:00.001-05:00

Good Monday Morning!

Sorry - the pic is a little dark & grainy, but it's not even 7am & it's still dark out & I wanted the lights on my tree to show up.

Would it be better if I didn't add a pic?

Honestly - I loved picture books much more when I was little, it makes it more fun to read!

Okay, okay......let's see:

1. It was a cold weekend, but a beautiful one. The sun shone for most of it making the little bit of snow we had sparkle!

2. Dream Boy & I went out to dinner Friday night with a gift certificate that he got for his birthday.

3. Then we went grocery shopping. Romantic, I know!

4. Saturday I spent most of the day in my creative corner beading bracelets & working on my December Daily, printing pics.

5. Saturday evening I rode in a humungous limo!

6. I went out to dinner with some ladies to celebrate my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law's birthday.

7. I sat next to my 3 year old great niece & had a splendid time!

8. Dream Boy & I lit the Advent Candle at church yesterday - he tried to catch my bulletin on fire as I read from it.

9. Son #1 came home for dinner last night - love that!

10. Son #2 has been asked by his college to be a "senior witness" at chapel on February 3. I'm humbled.

11. Last full week of school and then 4 days next week & I'm off for 2 whole weeks for Christmas vacation!

Gotta go - bell's will be ringing soon in the hallowed halls of my high school.

Happy Monday!

Oh Christmas Tree.....

2011-12-10T08:41:00.001-05:00

We gave up the tradition a few years ago of going out into the cold and tracking through the mud and/or snow to find that perfect tree.

In fact, I think the last few years we bought a real tree, we would go out into the field and search & search, only to end up back up at the front & pick a tree from the pre-cut trees.

We fell in love with the Frasier Fir tree in those last few years and it was so hard to go with any other type of tree. They are a soft, short needle tree with an amazing aroma. They don't drop needles - literally, they just don't! Well, the Frasier Fir became the most popular type of tree in our area and the prices of them went up astronomically! You would pay upwards of $45 or more.

Our tradition also included the boy's going out with me, but as they got older, they lost interest in the yearly family tradition.

So Dream Boy & I talked about an artificial tree.

Stop me now if you've heard this story......

....or just read it again.

I aim to please.

One morning Dream Boy had been out in the woods doing something with his deer blinds with his buddy. He had his "talk radio" on as usual and people were calling in to sell things. A woman called in to say she had an artificial tree for sale. I was $75. Dream Boy called me to see if I was serious about an artificial tree & I said go for it.

So he did.

Then he came home with this humungous box with the receipt still tape to it. It was dated 1972 or something like that.

We opened the box (he had done this when he picked it up) and I was so impressed at what was inside. After all, when I saw 1972 on the receipt, visions of silver tree or a skinny, scrawny, not very pretty tree came to my mind.

But it wasn't. It was beautiful - the more we put together, the more it became a reality to us that this tree was a beauty!

I love my tree.

We used to do all white twinkle lights on it as that was how the boys' liked it. But a few years' ago we went to replace our lights and came across the new LED lights that are reminiscent of my childhood. Remember the big colored bulbs? They could get so hot, you couldn't touch them. It was a miracle we never had a fire! So we replaced the white twinkle lights with our new old fashioned colored lights.

Merry Christmas!

P::52 Anticipation

2011-12-07T20:55:00.001-05:00

Anticipation.

K - the first thing that comes to mind is the Carly Simon song.

Seriously.

But then I think of the holiday season and all the little ones anxious for Santa.

Tonight I had the privilege to take the Santa Pics again at our local Winter Wonderland celebration.

Oodles and oodles of little ones came in with their parents waiting to sit on Santa's lap.

There were little one's like this..

..reaching for mom! PLEASE don't leave me mommy!

Then there are those who are still young at heart and still believe...

There are little girl's who know exactly what they want and are in deep conversation with Santa.

.....and then there are those little one's who are standing outside waiting in anticipation, checking out the scene before coming inside to see Santa.

Anticipation of all the hopes and dreams of what Christmas morning may bring.

Merry Christmas.

P::52 Real

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Last week's, or actually 2 weeks ago, our P::52 assignment was "real".

With the Christmas season upon us, many ideas came to mind.

We gave up a real tree a few years back and went to an artificial. I really like it and not having to clean up the mess of a real tree once we take it down.

But then came Tuesday night and the rain we were getting all day turned over to snow. A heavy, wet, frozen, slushy snow.

I grabbed my camera & went outside to experiment.

The trees were sagging low with the weight of the snow, but it looked so pretty. It was so peaceful.

So I went under our Maple Tree in the front yard and started looking through the branches at the house.

I captured this picture.

Our 1st "real" snow fall of the season. A snow that would close down many schools, mine included, the next day. A snow that would be so heavy on power lines that many were left without power the next day.

A beautiful 1st snow and a little Bokeh in the background.

Then I thought about the REAL reason for Christmas. The birth of a baby boy in a manger, a rough barn, on a cold, winter night. All alone, no doctor, no sterile environment - just a mom & a dad facing the birth of this child who become the King of Kings.

As I gaze upon the lights of so many houses and see the festive decor on the city streets I remind myself of the Real reason of this season. The reason that I am saved, the reason that I am able to face trials & tribulations and the reason I can rejoice in the good!

As you go through the hustle & bustle of these days, take time to reflect on the true meaning of this season.

Morning!

2011-12-05T06:54:00.001-05:00

Wow - December 5th already.

I'm running a little late today, so let's get started, shall we?

1. I decided this year not to do a December Daily on my blog, but instead I'm doing it in a book.

2. The book is laying on the counter in my creative corner, with a list next to it.

3. I haven't been able to record anything in the book yet, that's why there's a list.

4. My weekend was full of emotion - good & bad.

5. My MIL went into the hospital Saturday night = it started out bad.

6. But then it got better. She's still there, but they are testing to see what actually is the issue.

7. Sunday was Son #2's end of the year soccer banquet.

8. Oh my - full of emotion! This was the best year ever with this team. Not only the players, but the parents bonded so well.

9. Myself and my Co-team photographer were surprised by all the parents and literally showered with cards & gifts.

10. I opened them last night when I got home & read the cards & cried even more.

11. Needless to say, I was deeply moved.

12. Santa comes to town this Wednesday night & I get to take pictures of the little ones on Santa's lap!

13. We had a snow day last week!

14. Our tree is waiting to be put up, never got around to it on Saturday as plans were quickly set aside to tend to MIL.

15. I hope all of you have a wonderful week and take time to reflect on the true meaning of this Christmas season, the birth of our Lord & Savior.

I'll be back sooner, rather than later.

Happy Monday!

Thankful....

2011-11-29T20:16:00.001-05:00

A little behind on my P52 photos. Last week's prompt was Thankful.

I have so much to be thankful for, but just taking a picture of something.....thanksgiving dinner...family....my home.....just wasn't cutting it.

As I was perusing blogs tonite I saw a shot on another blog that gave me an idea.

This is it....

While playing around a few weeks ago for my photography class with close up macro type shots I took this one in the back yard.

It seemed to be the perfect background for this verse.

A verse of thanks.

I have so much to be thankful for and this is a reminder to whom I owe it all too.

Coffee Time

2011-11-28T06:55:00.001-05:00

Good morning!

Wow - I hadn't planned on taking the weekend off from blogging, but it happened. I'm okay with that, I spent it just loving my time off.

So let's chat about our holiday weekend, shall we?

1. Son #2 came home from college on Wednesday night......

and then Son #2 promptly left after dinner to go out with Son #1 and spent the night at his house.
2. Three years ago today I had my 2nd thyroid surgery. Three years ago today I became cancer free when they removed the rest of my thyroid that was covered with cancer. I am so thankful that it had not spread any further.

3. Dream Boy smoked a turkey for Thanksgiving.

4. I love smoked turkey.

5. We had dinner at my sister's house.

6. There were 13 of us but enough food to feed 33 of us!

7. I don't think I can eat anymore turkey.

8. I spent Friday in my creative corner. I don't do Black Friday shopping.

9. I accomplished a lot, got caught up on a few things.

10. I found my December Daily journal I made 2 years ago.

11. I think I'll fill it this year. I only MADE it 2 years ago.

12. Tonite is my last photography class.

13. Yesterday was Dream Boy's birthday.

14. Son #1 did this for him/us:

15. He made dinner - Shrimp Scampi Linguine.

16. I need to leave for school now - I have a full week. It's my 1st full week of school in a month. Ugh.
18. Is anyone else in love with the "Target Lady"? I absolutely crack up every time I see her standing in the card aisle singing into the cards....
"Rum tummy tummy
Rum tummy tummy
Rum tummy tummy
Ho-Ho-Ho!"

19. I just got an email inviting me to Hawaii for a week. All I have to do is pay my airfare, the condo is free - but Dream Boy & I will just be returning from a week on the beach in Florida.
20. I can't take another week off from school and a week on the beach with Dream Boy is something I've been looking forward to for a long time.

Tuesday Tea

2011-11-22T06:55:00.001-05:00

Did you miss me?

Well I missed you. I am so sorry I wasn't here for coffee yesterday morning. I feel like the last 2 weeks have been a huge "hurry up & get there" type of weeks.

As you've been reading, Son #2's college team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They finished in the Elite Eight!

So, to stay in line with my thoughts of thankfulness this month, let's chat about what we truly are thankful for.

1. I am thankful that I can see what I have and know that I am truly blessed by my loving God.

2. I am thankful that I have survived cancer. Three years ago this week my world was turned upside down when I was told that I had thyroid cancer.

3. I am thankful for my Dream Boy and his loving support and care that he gave me through those difficult weeks/months. He is my rock.

4. I am thankful for this picture:

..this is the brother to one of Son #2's team mates. He is special needs guy and you can't help but love him. When the team lost Saturday night & we went down on the field, C.B. ran into Son #2's arms and cried & cried & cried! I cried when I received this pic form C.B.'s dad last night.

5. I am thankful for such a compassionate son who is not afraid to show emotion. He is a special kind of guy himself.

6. I am thankful for Son #1 and his willingness to take care of Libbi The Wonder Dog while we are gone. He loves her & really enjoys her company.

7. I am thankful for my students. Yes, they can drive me nuts at times, but I really grow attached to some of them & they bring a smile to me almost every day.

8. I am thankful that this is a short school week.

9. I am thankful for my sisters' and their families whom we get to share our Thanksgiving meal with this week.

10. I am thankful for a home and food and warm clothes.

Let us all reflect on the big and small as we approach a day to gives thanks for our blessings. We all have them, we just need to take the time to see them & recognize them.

Have a great day & we'll talk real soon!

Thankful....

2011-11-19T15:53:00.001-05:00

I missed posting yesterday.

I was busy traveling to game #3 of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.

The Sweet 16!

What a night........oh.my.goodness!

Luther came out & scored in the 1st half. We entered the 2nd half still down by one. The one of Luther's players hit the ball in the box with his hand and this resulted in a penalty kick for our team.

Son #2 took the kick.....

..and SCORED! The game is now tied up.

The game ended in a tie so it went into 2 10 minute overtimes in which the score still remained tied.

Then we went into penalty kicks.

Ugh. I don't like games having to end with PK's. But after over 100 minutes of playing, the players can't run anymore.

We went head to head with Luther.....but in the end our goalie took the final kick and......

.....we came out victorious!

This is the furthest ever that Hope Men's Soccer has gone in the NCAA championships. We play again tonite at 6pm EST again Ohio Wesleyan.

We are in the Elite Eight.

So hard to believe, yet so much fun to be taking this journey with our son and his team.
I am so thankful that last night's game is behind us........so thankful for the victory our boys were able to celebrate and so thankful for another day in our journey with our son's team.

We're off to the game soon - wish us all the best!
Be back soon.

Mosaic

2011-11-17T09:39:00.001-05:00

This week's P::52 prompt was "Mosaic".

I'm so thankful I joined this group last January. It has made me keep my camera ready at hand to capture almost any moment.

It's also made me think outside of the box. Instead of just "taking a picture", I try to come up with something beyond the automatic. I'm thankful for the challenge.

Now mosaic is a little tough - do I find something with a mosaic type theme or artistry? Or do I do this:

....yes, I did this type of mosaic.
With such a fantastic weekend last week, how could I not do a mosaic on the games?
See the 2nd shot from the right in the top row?
That's the game winning goal about to go in off David's shot!
Scored in the last 3 minutes of the game.
Yea baby - that's what I'm talking about!
Now look at the 2nd shot from the right in the bottom row.
OH YEA - that is "good in the hood" winning goal scored off Jason in from a direct corner kick.
In the last 19 SECONDS of the game!
...and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!

...see, they even busted through the fence!

Can you say "happy place"?

2011-11-16T22:09:00.001-05:00

Today is my Friday of my work week.

I'm thankful for that.

I have 2 more photo shoots I need to finish editing tomorrow before we head out for the Sweet 16 NCAA tourni on Friday.

I'm thankful today that I finished Abby's photo shoot.

Now all I have to do is print and put together her book.

Easy Peasy!

I'm thankful that I get to sleep in tomorrow morning.

I'm thankful for the sunshine we had today.

I'm thankful that the Coconut Macaroon Thief was caught red handed today eating chocolate from another teacher's desk in who's room she was subbing.

It's the little things some days.

I'm Thankful For....

2011-11-15T06:58:00.001-05:00

...my sense of humor.

After finding an almost empty plate of goodies in my desk drawer yesterday (see yesterday's post edit) my day was a typical Monday.

I was busy from the moment I got there because of being off last Friday.

It seemed to be non-stop & the sweat I broke out into earlier in the morning while trying to put my tights on continued to return from time to time.

By late afternoon I had decided that I'm going to invent an pair of panty hose/tights that when the package actually says "tall" it means "TALL".

I was talking to the guidance secretary about this because she has the same issue.

You buy a pair of panty hose/tights made for "tall"......I'm talking 5'9" - 6'0" tall, you expect the crotch to come to the appropriate place AND that they don't bunch & bind every where else so that at the end of the day you feel like you've been squeezed by a python all day!

As we were talking I looked down at my feet and realized this......

.......my brand new pair of tights has "footies" in them. Better yet, they are padded soles! Well Doris wanted to know immediately where I got them because she where's the heels out on her stockings all the time.

I just wanted to to know how I could have walked around all day with what appeared to be bobby socks on all day?

Good thing I can laugh at myself - and make a few other's laugh along with me!

When I came home from school I immediately unscrewed myself from said tights and got to work on my assignment for my photography class.

Look.What.I.Did!

Our assignment was "reflection", but I also managed to capture bokeh!!! No one in my class had ever heard of bokeh, let alone know how I did it! My teacher gave me an A+ for the shot and all the effort I put into getting it.....digging out the Christmas lights, setting up the shot, working for over an hour to get it!

Monday Morning Coffee

2011-11-14T06:53:00.001-05:00

Good morning!

Grab your coffee and let's chat....

1. Another week has started and I'm thankful that it is only a 3 day school week for me.

2. If you follow me, you know it was a crazy, busy weekend for us.

3. If this is your 1st time visiting ---- welcome. Then read the two posts prior to this & you'll know what #2 is all about!

4. Did I tell you that they used my photo of the winning goal on Saturday on the school's website?

5. Some of my parent friends' on the team now think my head will get to big because I finagled a "media pass" to be on the field Saturday and then my picture was used on the school's website. You know who you are. :)

6. Dream Boy has been in so much pain for over 2 weeks now, but I'm thankful that we finally figured it out last Thursday before we left. He has shingles on his knee. But he has meds now to try & kick the virus out of his system faster.

7. Son #1 may go with us this weekend to the next round - the Sweet 16! I'm so excited!

8. I counted in my head today and realized that I can't do that at 6am. I lost count.

9. I only have 3 weeks left of my photography class. I'm thinking of signing up for a photoshop class for next semester.

10. It's 7am and I need to get to school. I don't even have my lunch packed yet.

Y'all have a great Monday!

Thanks for having coffee/tea with me this morning!

Edited: Just a little note --- I had a sub in my classroom last Friday. I get to school this morning & open my desk drawer to get out my coffee cup. I had left a plate of coconut macaroons in there that a co-worker had made me & I had forgotten to take them with me. My sub ATE them - all but 2. She left me a note that said, "I ate a few of your coconut cookies - hope it's okay. I was so hungry - mmmm. They were great. Thanks. Sorry if I ate too many."
ATE TOO MANY?????? Are your kidding me? Who does that? She's never subbed in my classroom before, I don't know this woman from Adam and she gets in my desk & EATS MY FOOD?
Let's just say I'm not a happy camper right now.........leave me a comment & let me know how you'd react?

Victory

2011-11-13T08:24:00.001-05:00

Oh my! This may be a petty thing to be thankful for, but in the moment - right now, I am thankful for the gigantic win by our Hope College Men's Soccer Team yesterday.

What a nail biter.........we were tied and we were pounding the goal, but it wouldn't go in. The clock kept counting down, but still, no goal. Every time Dominican brought it down to their goal my heart would race until we would take possession and turn it back down the field.

We continued to fight and play hard. When the clock came down to one minute left we were all accepting the fact that we would go into overtime. The boys' were so tired, but they would press on.

But with 25 seconds left, we take it into the corner for a corner kick. Our boys set up in front of the goal and Jason set his kick in the corner.

25-24-23-22-21-20.......kick.......and in the biggest EVER curve of it's life, the ball sails past the front of the goal and curves into the top right corner of the goal and at 19 seconds left.......

.....it curves right into the goal!

Oh.My.Goodness!

Hope wins the weekend tournament and now advances to the Sweet 16 next weekend!

It was amazing and again, I am so thankful for the 4 years we've had with this team and for the friendships we have formed.

I am thankful for the talents God has bestowed upon our own son too. I am also thankful that our son knows with all his heart what God has given him too.

I am also thankful we were able to come home last night and sleep in our own bed and be able to be home today to "regroup".

Happy Day

2011-11-12T11:15:00.001-05:00

Sitting here in the hotel lobby waiting for the time to come to leave for the big game!

It's a beautiful day - sun is shining and the temps are warming up.

I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful for the 4 years we have had with this team and the parents we've come to know and now call good friends.

God has blessed Dream Boy & I so richly with our 2 sons. They are unique in their own ways, but the bond between them is strong.

I am thankful for that.

Both of our sons have incredible talents in many different areas, but in same ones too.

I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful, oh so thankful for the love between the 4 of us. To know that we can count on each other when we need each other.

I'm thankful for the time spent with son #2 today - just chillin in our hotel room side by side on the couch and talking about nothing in particular.

God, I thank you.

2011-11-11T21:20:00.001-05:00

Today I want to thank any and all American Veterans.

Whether you are inactive or currently serving, I am grateful for everything you have ever done to give me my freedom.

The freedom to chose my job.

The freedom to worship my God openly and without fear.

To travel freely about this great land of ours.

Thank you to each of you for your sacrifice and to your families for the sacrifices they have made while you've served your country.

I'm also thankful for ability to stand at my son's college soccer game today and enjoy the excitement as the game unfolded.

I'm thankful that we won the game in the last 3 minutes and we will be playing one more game tomorrow!

I'm thankful for the relationship that I have with my son and the abilities that God has given him

I'm thankful for this day!

Thursday

2011-11-10T13:42:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful for the fact that it's my "Friday". I'm taking off after school with Dream Boy and some good friends to go watch some Flying Dutchmen Men's NCAA Soccer action tomorrow.

I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends we have made due to said soccer team.

I'm thankful that Libbi The Wonder Dog seems to be doing better today. She wasn't so stiff this morning and there were no signs of any other issues.

I have to say this........right now I'm not so thankful for the dark sky outside that is spewing white flakage type stuff from the gray clouds above. I know it's Michigan, I know it's November, but right now --- not so happy about it.

I'm thankful for my mom. Today is her birthday. She would have been 76 years old. I miss her so much. She always made me & my sister's feel special on our birthday's and we always got a phone call from her to say "happy birthday". So if I could dial up heaven, I would.....then I'd sing in my best off key voice because she liked it so much (NOT!) "happy birthday".

I don't have any pictures to post today, but I think my thankful post is enough.

I'll be back as soon as I can!

Today

2011-11-09T20:23:00.001-05:00

It's Wednesday....and for that I am thankful.

Libbi is doing pretty good considering her episode last night. For that I am thankful.

Son #1 went and had lunch today with his grandparents. He called them up to make sure they were home. He has such a tender heart. Don't tell him I told you. For his tender heart, I am thankful.

I came straight home after school today and haven't gone anywhere. I'm working on editing pictures. I'm thankful for that.

Dream Boy made dinner tonite. For that I am thankful.

Dream Boy had his employee evaluation today and got a very, very positive evaluation. Bonus! For that I am so proud & so very thankful!

Son #2 accepted the job offer today. WOW - for that I am thankful.

I have one day left of school this week as we are heading off to watch Son #2 & his team play in Round 1 of the NCAA Soccer Tournament. For that I am thankful.

What do you have to be thankful for today?

Thankful......

2011-11-08T21:55:00.003-05:00

.....for this picture. Even though it's not the best and my chin/neck looks twelve times bigger than it really is, I'm thankful for it.

You see, less than an hour later we would be rushing Miss Liberty Bell to the Emergency Dog Hospital.

I was cleaning up the kitchen from supper and Dream Boy took her out with him to take out the garbage and throw the pumpkins out. Before he knew it, Libbi took off like a shot across the yard after deer across the street.

There was a truck coming and he swerved to avoid her. She ran into his tire and then rolled under the truck. The back axel of the truck ran over her.

Dream Boy ran out and the driver stopped immediately and turned his 4 ways on. Libbi was laying in the road stunned, crying and barking, but not able to move.

Dream Boy gave her a minute or two, then lifted her up & carried her into the porch where he started yelling for me. The driver stayed in the driveway until he saw me come out and then he left.

Dream Boy was shaking and telling me to call the vet, which I did. They told me to bring her in as soon as possible.

When I got off the phone and went out to the porch she was up and walking around. She came over and laid on my lap while we checked her over. No bleeding anywhere other than under her chin and along her lip. She got up and was walking around normally, so we loaded her up in the car & took her in.

She was jumping all over the place and trying to play tug of war with her leash by the time we brought her into the vet's office.

They checked her over thoroughly and feel that she will recover fully. She's going to be sore for the next few days, so they gave us some pain meds and antibiotics due to the scraped up chin.

She's laying under the kitchen table now sleeping - her favorite place.

I'm thankful she seems to be okay - and I'm thankful that Dream Boy is okay too. He was pretty shook up having to watch it all and feeling helpless.

I think Miss Libbi must have part cat in her blood because this is the 2nd "car accident" she's had since August and lived to tell about it.

Monday Evening Happy Hour???

2011-11-07T17:46:00.000-05:00

It's Monday - Monday evening actually. I'm getting ready to leave for my photography class.

I'm so sorry we didn't have coffee together this morning, but it was just a little crazy!

So let's chat now - grab a "happy hour" drink of your choice....

1. I'm 8 weeks into this class - only 4 to go. I have loved every week of it!

2. I'm the proud mom of a soon to be employed not yet graduated college senior!

3. I'm thankful that this opportunity has arisen for Son #2. Such a relief for him to know that he will be employed before he's even graduated next May!

4. I'm thankful for the time of catching up I was able to have with a dear friend of mine. So good to have a real live coffee time with Kim after school today!

5. Dream Boy has been suffering with hip/knee pain for almost a week now. I wish I could fix it. Hopefully the meds our doctor prescribed today will start to bring him relief!

6. Son #2s college soccer team is headed to the 1st round of the NCAA Soccer Tournament in Chicago this Friday! GO DUTCHMEN!!!

7. Son #1 came to the game on Saturday and we got a family pic - you don't know HOW thankful I am for that!

8. Got to see both of my sisters last night at my nieces birthday. I realized that we NEED to make more time for each other.

9. Class starts in 45 minutes and I need to scoot!

10. Did you notice I got my "thankfuls" into my post even while chatting about life?

See you tomorrow!!!

Sunday......

2011-11-06T21:27:00.001-05:00

What a busy day it turned out to be. I thought I was going to be able to relax and take it easy, get caught up on editing photos & maybe even get a Sunday afternoon nap. But no - it ended up being a full day.

I ended up taking a trip up to Grand Rapids to due a Senior Shoot on a college campus where Kaitie is planning on going next fall.

Wow - what an amazing campus. The trees are full and mature and so many of them still had their leaves on them. It was a beautiful sunny day, a bit windy, but we made the best of it.

I'm so thankful I got the opportunity to take these pics. Kaitie is a sweet girl, daughter of a teacher I work with. She has a natural beauty about her & I so enjoyed my time with her.

Thank you to her mom who asked me to take her pictures....it was certainly a pleasure.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to take Abby's pictures a few weeks ago too. Her mom works at our Middle School and we go to the same church.

My photography skills have been getting a real work out these past few months, between soccer games and senior shots I've been a busy girl.

I'm so thankful to Dream Boy for his support and encouragement in my pursuit of photography.

I am a blessed woman.

Today I'm Thankful For....

2011-11-05T22:09:00.000-04:00

....a beautiful sunny Saturday with family and friends.

Son #2's college soccer team won their game yesterday in the MIAA Tournament so they moved onto the final game today and they won!

This is an automatic bid into the National Tournament. They will be playing next weekend and we are hopeful that it will be at Hope College. We'll know for sure on Monday.

We spent the afternoon tailgating with all our good friends and my sister and her family prior to the game. My nieces took turns "assisting" me on the field during the game while I took pictures.

We were tied at halftime 1-1. But with 8 minutes left, we scored a 2nd goal.....and then a 3rd......and then Son #2 scored goal #4 on a PK (penalty kick).

Do you see that ball going right over the goalie on the ground? Now that's what I'm talking about....

One happy team!

One happy family! Yes, both son #1 and son #2 make for a great family picture!

And I'd like to thank my adoring family for this award, I never could have been a soccer mom without your support over all these years!!!

Friends

2011-11-04T21:02:00.001-04:00

I'm so sorry I missed posting yesterday.

I had every intention of posting last night, but about 7:15pm we got a call from Son #2. He had a severe case of heartburn and was in tremendous pain. His roommate was taking him to urgent care, so Dream Boy & I made the 1 hour 10 minute trek up to see him. By the time we got there, he was back to his house so we picked him up & took him to get his prescription filled. His steroid he was put on for his strep was causing the heartburn. They gave him a Maalox Cocktail and made sure his stomach wasn't filled with bacteria. When all came back clear, they gave him a prescription strength Prevacid for the heartburn.

Okay - too much information.....but by the time we got home it was an hour past my bed time, so I went straight to bed!

So today, which ties in with yesterday, I am truly thankful for my friends.....and my son's friends. Son #2's friend took him to Urgent Care last Saturday night and a different friend took him back last night.

We have made some tremendous friendships with the other soccer parents from Hope College. We had the senior's parents over last Saturday night....

....and had a wonderful time!

Tonite at the end of the game we took this picture too.....

...with another of the soccer mom's and a good friend.

Our son's experience at Hope College had been awesome for not only him, but for us too.

We have come to know these wonderful people and know that whatever we may be going through they will be there.

I am so thankful that God has blessed my lives with these friendships!

Today I'm Thankful For....

2011-11-02T21:03:00.001-04:00

....having a half day of school.

I took the afternoon off.

When I take a half day, it means I'm out of school at 10:30am, so it's like having a whole day off really.

I had time to go pick up my new glasses - one pair had a defect in the glass, so they kept them & I can pick them up tomorrow.

Good thing because the other pair has a defect in the frame that I found later when I was looking at them closer.

So tomorrow I get to take this pair back and pick up the other.

But it was a great day nonetheless.

Son #2 played his final season college soccer game and they won, 2-0.

Friday they play in the season ending tournament.

If When they win on Friday, they will go to the final on Saturday.

If When they win Saturday they will go on to Nationals!

So today I'm thankful for the time I had off from school, it makes me a Happy Mama!

30 Days of Thanks...

2011-11-01T22:19:00.001-04:00

I don't know why I wait until November, but Thanksgiving always reminds me. I have so much in my life to be thankful for. I've done this in the past, and I want to do it again this year. I'm going to spend these 30 days of November taking time each day to find something to be thankful for that happened that day.

Today I am thankful the kids who have passed through my life because of my job.

Years ago when Dream Boy and I were faced with infertility and thought we'd never have our own children, little did I know that God would not only bless us with both of our son's in totally different ways, but He would bless me years later when I took on a job at our local high school.

Every year I grow close to a handful of my students. Some of them really stick in my mind and find a permanent spot in my heart.

Yesterday I received a text from one asking me to pray for her. She was having "one of those days" and asked me to pray. I was deeply touched that she would reach out to me.

Another of my "girls" has traveled the U.S. over this past year and never forgets to update me via a facebook post, a text or a shout out on her blog.

And then there's Jenni. She has always been "my daughter" and has been a part of our family for a long time. She has a younger brother who graduated with Son #1. I got to spend a few hours with them this Sunday doing a family shoot.

Love these two!

Yep - today I'm thankful for all the kids' in my life. I have been richly blessed!

P::52 Wild

2011-11-01T07:01:00.000-04:00

Our prompt for this past week was "wild".

Well, I think my Halloween pumpkins had a little too much fun and got a little on the "wild" side last night!

Too much candy?

Happy Tuesday y'all!

Good Monday Morning

2011-10-31T09:02:00.002-04:00

Boo!

This face should scare anyone 1st thing in the morning!

How's your Monday going so far?

Mine has been crazy busy since I woke up.

1. Son #2 came home on Saturday from college with strep throat. He had been on penicilan since Thursday morning and there was no improvement.

2. Sent him to immediate care on Saturday night. They gave him a shot in the hiney for the fever and heavy dutier drugs.

3. HUGE improvement by Sunday - fever broke through the night & his appetite was returning.

4. Dream Boy & I enjoyed having him home to "pamper" - I know when you're sick, there's no place like home.

5. Son #1 installed a wood burner in his garage to keep warm so he can continue working on cars throughout the winter.

6. Dream Boy went over on Sunday to check it out for ventilation and said they were sending up smoke signals! Son #1's buddy opened the door & put a fan in front of it trying to stoke up the flames, but instead filled the garage with smoke!

7. Other than the fan, son #1 did a great job installing it.

8. I took a cold shower today.....brrrrrrrr. Son #2 took a shower before me and used almost all the hot water. Took me back to the days of camping.

9. We had the parents of the seniors from our soccer team over for grilled pizza Saturday night & a bonfire. We had a wonderful time - so much fun.

10. I can't believe that this may be our last week of soccer.......ever.

11. I'm meeting a dear friend, former co-worker, for coffee after school. Can't wait!

12. I have to change my eye appointment for the 3rd time. Soccer game is Wednesday this week, not Tuesday like the schedule originally said!

13. Today is Halloween and we still haven't carved our pumpkins......

14. I need to get to work - clock is ticking & the work is piling up!

Have a great Monday everyone!

P52::Busy

2011-10-28T23:33:00.001-04:00

I think I've been saying it for a while now, life sure is busy around here.

But that's okay - it makes things interesting.

Our prompt for this past week was "busy".....how does one capture the business of their life in a single pic?

Well, I found a great "busy" shot tonite as I was making snacks for my son's college soccer team tomorrow. Yes, I said college soccer team. We've been doing it for 4 years and it's a tradition the guys just love...and so do the coaches!

My tradition since son #2's sophomore year is to make Whoopie Pies and this year is no different. I just spent the last 3 hours making 4 dozen Whoopie Pies.

Yes - about 48 of them, but only 40 of them are going to the team. The remainder, if I can keep Dream Boy out of them, will be for our friends tomorrow night. We are having the senior parents over for grilled pizza after the game since it's right here in town.

I'm hoping & praying that Son #2 feels better as he's had strep throat and has been running a fever for 2 days. He's been on antibiotics now for almost 48 hours, so let's hope a good night's sleep & his drugs will help him feel much improved come morning light.

Speaking of morning light.....I'm going to say GOOD night before the morning light shows up in my window.

Have a great weekend! We have a busy one, but it should be lots of fun!

Ohohohohooooh, It's Better......

2011-10-28T07:04:00.001-04:00

I have felt a little heavy hearted the last few days. That heavy heartedness also led to some crabbiness with my students. That crabbiness led to some brutally honest reality with same said students.

It's only the end of October.

I usually feel this way in March.

I'm being challenged.

Yesterday a student asked me if I believe in God? My answer, "yes I do."

As I went on through my day and more drama built in the school and then in my heart, I realized it was an opportunity missed!

My answer should have been, "with my whole heart & being I believe in God!"

I left school and a coworker looked at me and said, "do you need a hug?"

Wow - my body language must have been screaming!

We chatted for a few and I left.

I got into my car & prayed. Then I pulled out my favorite, scratchy, skippy "lift me up" praise & worship CD.

I cranked it up ------ I cranked it LOUD!

I ran a few errands before going home and as I was turning onto my street, this song came on:

"Oh it's better,

Oh better than life.

Oh it's so much better,

Jesus,

Your loving kindness....

IS BETTER THAN LIFE!

So I sat in my garage with the car running until the song was done.

I set the song so it's the 1st thing I hear when I get in in this morning.

As I was dressing for school I saw my verse inside my cupboard door,

"So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it."

I Peter 4:19

Today is going to be better because He makes it so. HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING even when I don't.

Thank goodness for that.
So this heart that I'm holding --- yea, it's got the words written on the back,
"Jesus you're loving kindness is better than life!"
It's going on my board right next to me at school so every time I see it, which is every time I answer my phone, I will remember that it's not about me, but about HIM and what HE'S doing through me at school, every.single.day!

Senior Night

2011-10-26T18:04:00.002-04:00

No - not "senior night" as in I'm old and get double coupons on "senior day" at the local grocery store.

I'm talking about son #2 who played his last home college soccer game of the regular season. Where have the last 4 years gone?

He entered college in the fall of 2008. A week of try outs, the most nerve wracking week of mine & Dream Boy's life. We've gone through try outs with both of our boys over the years but never one like that week.

Then the call finally came on Thursday night - he made the team. Never did we know that it would not only change his life, but ours too. We've made such good friends through the past 4 years and look forward to staying in touch with each & every one of them.

After a one hour delay last night due to thunder & lightening the senior players took the field with their parents.

Yes, the senior way over on the right is on crutches. He suffered an injury to his knee the 1st weekend of games & ended up having surgery a few weeks later. It was tough to lose him, but he has been on the sideline helping coach his team onto a great season!

Next fall is going to be so different not having a weekend soccer game after 20 some years of playing between both our boys.

We've enjoyed the ride and have been so blessed to watch the God given talents both our boys' possessed.

But for now, with 2 season games left and then onto tournament for a shot at Nationals, we will continue to enjoy and savor the ride!

Good Monday Morning.....Coffee On The Go....

2011-10-24T07:07:00.003-04:00

Coffee is on the go today - can't get moving the way I should for some reason.

Do you think because it's Monday.....and it's raining....and it hailed in the middle of the night waking me up.....and I dreamed the weirdest dreams last night?

Anywhoooooooo........

Today while we have our coffee on the go let me share with you:

1. Son #2 plays his last home college soccer game of the regular season tomorrow night.

2. When did son #2 get to be that old?

3. Wait - then that means son #1 is even older...

4. Then that means....I'm even older yet.

5. Let's not go there, k?
6. I've had the same song stuck in my head for a week now....."all the other kids' with the la la la la....better run, better run faster than my bullett"....
7. Stuck in your head now too, isn't it?
8. I'm eating frosted flakes for breakfast as I write this - yummy, eh?
9. Dream Boy & I did a lot of laughing this weekend. Happy Place!
10. Son #2 won their game Saturday night which put them in 2nd place in their conference.
11. Son #1 is installing a wood burner in his garage for the winter. He hates the cold.
12. I made Beef Stroganoff in the crock pot for dinner yesterday.
13. I have the best leftovers for lunch today.
14. I finally brought my mom & dad their yearly pumpkin last night. It was dusk in the cemetery. A gray cat ran across the way in front on me.
15. Would the cat have been black if it had been dark out?
16. Should I be worried that a gray cat crossed my path at dusk in a cemetery while standing there at night?
17. Have a happy Monday - I'm beginning to ramble......what wonder my week is going to be like?
Toodles!

P52::Collection

2011-10-23T16:22:00.001-04:00

Collection.

This past week's prompt.

I'm not a "collector" of anything specific.

My big sister collects Precious Moments figurines.

My mom used to collect Angel's.

I used to collect pigs.

So when this prompt came up, I had to really stretch my mind to come up with a "collection".

Last year, for my 50th birthday, Dream Boy & Our Two Sons (sounds a bit like a t.v. show)....gave me a Pandora bracelet for my birthday.

I guess you could say I collect charms for my bracelet.

Each one I choose has some sort of meaning to it.

1. The floral clip. It holds the beads in place so they don't slide around the bracelet. I love daisies & the floral motif on here reminds me of daisies.

2. An angel - a birthday gift this year from a very dear friend. She said I remind her of an "angel". It reminds me of her & our friendship..but it also reminds me of my mom. Even the little bare feet on the bottom of the charm.

3. A camera of course. While this isn't a Pandora charm, I love it. I bought it at a Brighton store on our senior trip last spring.

4. An orange glass swirl bead....to go with the blue glass swirl bead. The colors of Hope College - home of the Flying Dutchmen, son #2's soccer team.

5. Again, a Brighton charm. It says "believe" on one side & has a raised cross on the other. When our mom was so sick, my sister's & I adapted the word "believe" because we knew that through our belief in God, we could make it through anything!

6. Faith/Hope/Love....this charm has a cross (faith), anchor (hope) & heart (love). These are 3 key values in my life.

7. Peace sign -a Christmas gift from Dream Boy last year. A personal "joke" between us 2.

8. See #4 - a blue glass swirl bead. I also chose this bead because it was the closest to my birthstone, sapphire. I didn't like any of the birthstone charms, so I chose the bead instead.

9.A pig -- once upon a time I collected pigs. Don't know why, I just did. So in memory of that silly enormous collection, I just had to have the little piggy.

10. A soccer ball - need I say more?? If I do - see #4.

There you have my "collection".

Next word prompt::"busy"

How do you take a picture of your busy, hectice life style????

Steve & Bonnie -- Engagement Shoot

2011-10-20T21:51:00.001-04:00

I've told you about the wedding I booked for next spring.

I've told you how at the same time I am very excited about this opportunity AND very nervous!

I've met the sweet couple and we spent a few hours together on a sunny Saturday morning.

Meet Bonnie & Steve.

Did I mention they are football fans???

...of different teams?

This will keep things interesting in their life together!

Monday Morning Coffee Time

2011-10-17T07:02:00.000-04:00

Good Monday morning to you!

Just a little peak at my kitchen table. I haven't had Halloween decorations out in forever.....literally!

But what I really focus on is the Gebrara Daisies in the water bottle - classy....I know. I picked them over a week ago from my back yard & they are still blooming!

So if we were meeting today, this is what I'd share:

1. Friday night we went to our niece's high school football game to watch her march in the band.

2. It rained.

3. We watched the wrong girl the whole time.

4. Well - they all look alike in the same uniform & hats & we were at the top of the bleachers under a blanket shielding ourselves from the deluge of rain!

5. Saturday was homecoming at Son #2's college.

6. Son #2 didn't get to play Saturday night because he pulled a groin muscle in practice Friday night. Bummer.

7. Yesterday I did a whole lot of nothing. I scrapped a little, I watched 3 movies, I edited pictures, I made home made spaghetti sauce & meatballs.

8. My camera lens is in & hopefully fixed!

9. I think I'm fighting a cold. Been sneezing a whole lot yesterday & today.

10. In 4 months I'll be on a sunny beach in Florida with Dream Boy - can't wait.

11. This week is a quiet week, not a whole lot on the calendar except 2 soccer games.

12. I baked on Saturday - pumpkin bread.

13. It's almost gone.

14. Speaking of gone - I need to get going to school.

Happy Monday ~~ hope you have a blessed day!

Crockpot Mac-n-Cheese::Pinterest~~Pass or Fail

2011-10-16T09:25:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a college soccer day as is every Saturday from the end of August until sometime in November.

It was homecoming. The soccer parents host an extra large tailgate for the soccer alumni who come to play in the annual alumni game. They play & then we feed them.

I wanted something other than the quick tossed salad, cole slaw, pasta salad, cookies, chips-n-salsa or veggie trays. So I decided on mac-n-cheese. So many of the alumni bring their families & there are little kiddos there, so mac-n-cheese is a perfect choice!

While browsing through Pinterest yesterday morning I came across this recipe and decided to give it a try.

Let me just say this........

Yum to the OH!

It was so easy & so very, very good! It was not like some crockpot recipes where you have to do a lot of prep work prior to putting it into the crockpot itself. No - all I need to do was par boil the macaroni, literally dump the remaining ingredients into the crockpot & stir them up before adding the macaroni.

I used skim milk and regular evaporated milk. I also used the Italian blend of cheese, but only 5 cups (I doubled the recipe for a large crowd). I used a cup of cheddar cheese to make a total of 6 cups of cheese.

I was reading a blog the other day, Hope Studios about something from Pinterest she tried. Jennifer challenged her readers to actually try something they had pinned & give it a review on their blog.

So I'm giving my review on the recipe.

It passed with a blue ribbon from the county fair!

Have you tried anything you've pinned on Pinterest?

P::52 Calm

2011-10-12T21:07:00.002-04:00

This week's prompt was "calm".

We went to our friends' for dinner this past Sunday night with almost all our boys.

Before dinner I went down to the dock where the sun was just setting & the glassy waters were reflecting the beauty of the fall colors.

The water is a little ripply here, but a fishing boat had just left & the sun was setting fast, so I took advantage of the light while I still had it.

The water is so calm, smooth and peaceful.

The colors were vibrant!

I just sat there soaking it all in. No boats, no campers across the lake, no swimmers jumping off rafts, no one out at all.

Most docks are in, most boats are in, most rafts are in.

The silence surrounded me & I just sat in the quiet calmness of the beauty God has painted in the trees around me.

Can you feel the sense of calm?

Monday Mentions......

2011-10-10T15:56:00.003-04:00

I like doing my Monday morning's with you, I do -- really.

It's just some Monday mornings totally get past me & it's Monday afternoon before I have a chance to sit down with you & chat.

Please forgive me......I truly think my Monday's start out better when we chat before my day starts.

I'm serious! If I spend a few nuggets of time with my cyber friends before my day starts, it seems to help me keep my perspective positive throughout the day!

So I'm thinking that is the reason that this Monday -- at least so far, has not been a real memory maker. So I will do my best to focus on the positives of this day so far & not whine too much...

but if we were to meet today I would share:

1. It is another beautiful fall day in Michigan w/ temps in the upper 70s.

2. The colors are spectacular!

3. Son #2 came home for the night last night & spent time with Son #1 and then met us at friends' house for a wonderful Sunday Supper.

4. We laughed.......a LOT at our Sunday Supper.

5. Dream Boy & I are so blessed with wonderful boys & loving friends.

6. Miss Libbi got to snuggle up in bed this morning with Son #2 after I left for school. They were both happy.

7. I had to go to school.

8. I'm really struggling with a fellow worker who is passing judgement on my classroom & program after spending 1 hour a day for 4 weeks with me.

9. I'm very protective of the work I've accomplished prior to this "mess" and I resent his claims.

10. My principal is backing me, but I'm still struggling with this issue. I don't like this feeling of resentment that is hanging on.

11. My students at the end of the day were......um......challenging. One even told me that he can't be held responsible for his reaction if I choose to "raise my voice" at him again!

12. Well -- if you would stop talking the 1st time I ask and not continue on & be asked 2 more times to be quiet & then argue with me that you're not talking, I might not have to "raise my voice"!!!

13. Ugh - do I need anger management classes?

14. I have photography class tonite - that's a good thing.

Okay - it's your turn.....what would you share with me today?

Oh - & thanks for letting me vent!

P::52 Shots - Playing Catch Up

2011-10-09T13:46:00.001-04:00

I'm just a tad behind in my P::52 photos.

Our prompt 2 weeks ago was "trail".

I've had several images in my head of unique trails - not the obvious.

The one I was really seeing in my mind's eye was the trail that the deer make through the corn fields as they make their way across them in the summer.

In the fall when the corn begins to dry out, if you are on the right hill above the fields, you can see these paths.

I'm not seeing them so clearly this year - so I kept my eyes open for another trail.

Yesterday as I was heading into town for my engagement session, I noticed this "trail". It's not far from my home & it is gated off....so it's not open to the public. But the fall colors were amazing as I glanced down this way.

On my way home, I stopped to take a shot or two of this trail.

I have grown up in Michigan - lived here all my life.

Every fall I never stop being amazed at the beauty of God's work around me as He paints His canvas. He never repeats it either, the colors are different every fall.

This past week's theme was "today"......

How often in Michigan can you walk around in the grass and fallen leaves barefoot and not be cold?
"Today" in Michigan it is supposed to reach record high temps for this time of year. It is currently 77 degrees and is supposed to hit the lower 80s.
I want to remember "today".
Now, while my pumpkin pie finishes baking in the oven & filling my home with the most wonderful scent of fall....I need to go work on my homework for my photography class: White Balance and RAW format shooting.

A Beautiful Saturday

2011-10-08T22:43:00.003-04:00

I got to sleep in today.

Love that.

I got to do an engagement shoot.

Loved that.

God's been painting the landscape again....

Love that.

Had an early soccer game tonight.

Loved that.

Home and in my jammies and unwinding before 9pm tonite?

Really love that!

Hope you're loving your weekend wherever you may be!

Be back soon!

2011-10-05T10:04:00.003-04:00

My faith is everything to me. If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know that. If not, then you've learned something new about me.

This last month or so has seemed to swirl about me - leaving me feel unorganized, not in control, dazed. Getting back into the routine of school and life in general has sent me down that path. I don't like it.

Last night I had a lot of quiet time, Dream Boy was on a bike ride & I was working on editing pics. My mind wanders a lot when I'm doing that, but it's a good thing.

I realized that I haven't taken the time I've needed in the last month or so to really talk with my God. To spend time with Him and bask in His glory. Yes, I go to church every week. I listen to the sermons and I'm uplifted. I pray, but in between this activity & that.

When I went to bed last night I had my quiet time with Him. I talked to Him and asked God to forgive my lack of focus. I awoke with peace in my heart & mind this morning.

When I came to school I heard the news that the husband (51 yrs old) of a coworker lost his battle with cancer last night. My heart breaks for her and their kids. Too soon in our human minds for one to leave this world.

But as I continue to carry them in my heart & silent prayers this morning, I am reminded that I have a promise of eternal life.

This song came to mind.....it always gives me peace and great comfort.

I hope it does you too.

Virtual Monday Morning Coffee!

2011-10-03T08:56:00.000-04:00

Playing With Shutter Speeds.....and Libbi!

2011-10-02T19:59:00.001-04:00

My assignment this past week for my photography class was to play with shutter speeds. In taking shots of my silly Libbi, this little clip was an outtake of some of my favorite shots of her.

Look at her tongue!

Then I had to play with "panning" and I came up with this shot.

Panning is where you shoot in a slow shutter speed, but follow the subject while moving. You get the subject in focus (for the most part), but the background is this big blur.

Thanks to my Dream Boy for participating in playing with Miss Libbi to get these shots!

Chris - Senior Pics

2011-10-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

Fall has arrived in Michigan. It came in the 2nd week of September and has not left. No Indian Summer for us I'm thinking

That's okay - the colors are starting to change and it makes for a beautiful time of year to do senior pictures.

My latest ~~victim~~, er..um...subject was Chris!

We met at a local park in town and after a little chit chat, he & I walked off with the 'rents in tow.

Chris is a hockey player. Dream Boy was a hockey player.

Chris is graduating from LN. Dream Boy graduated from LN.

BONUS!

This broke the ice and helped me to get Chris relaxed and really start getting into the whole picture taking thing.

We had geese surrounding us quickly when taking these shots along the creek.

Chris was laughing at me as one goose decided he want a close up and I turned my camera on it & "flashed" it. The shot didn't turn out, but the goose went back to its watery home.

Do you see the colors starting to change in the background?

Love this shot - if I say so myself......and I do.

I still have over 150 shots to go through & edit yet, but this is a start.

Thank you Chris for an enjoyable time.

We finished our shoot just in time as right when we got into our cars to leave, the skies opened up & it started pouring.

Oh --- and my lens broke :( So I headed directly to the Camera Store and they had to send it in, the image stabilizer was going bad. It could take up to 6 weeks for it to come back. Thankfully it was still under warranty and I do have my original lens to use in the meantime.

Next weekend I have an engagement shoot! I'm really looking forward to that!

Thirty One Years Ago....

2011-09-27T08:24:00.001-04:00

Thirty one years ago today I walked down the aisle on my dad's arm.

I cried like a baby.

Good thing I had my dad to hold onto as I couldn't see through my tears....

or the veil.

At the end of that walk, my dad kissed me and then handed me over to Dream Boy.

What a ride it's been!

We've shared many laughs, many tears, many joys, many years.

Who would have thought the boy who farted on me on our 1st date would still be the man who still gives me goosebumps when he kisses me?

Who would have thought we would laugh as much, if not more today, than we did then?

Well........when Dream Boy acts like this, how can you help NOT laugh?

....but then again....look what he's married too..

Our poor, poor children. No wonder this is how they turned out...

But with doctor's like this, I guess there's no guarantees..

All in all, we have had a wonderful life.

I am thankful to my loving God for watching over us, protecting us, carrying us and continuing to love us.

He has given me this loving man and these loving boys.

Thank you Dream Boy for 31 (actually 33 if you count our dating years) of the greatest days of my life.

Thank you for loving me through the good, the bad, the ugly and the beauty of it all.

Thank you for believing in me.

I love you Dream Boy - now and always!

Monday - Monday Morning Coffee

2011-09-26T08:22:00.002-04:00

It's a rainy Monday morning today. Kind of damp, but warm temps.

So if we were meeting for coffee this morning I would share with you:

1. I had a senior photo shoot after school last Friday. My lens, the one Dream Boy bought me last spring, was making funny noises.

2. The pics were looking fine & the focus was okay, so I continued the session.

3. I went to the camera store right after we were done. My image stabilizer was going bad. I had to send my lens back in for repair - it will take up to 6 weeks to get it back............. :(

4. I still have my original lens, so I'll have to make do with that & pray that it doesn't go bad on me either.

5. We went to a wedding on Saturday for a former student of mine & a classmate of Son #2. So, so sweet & very touching.

6. Son #2 wasn't able to go because he had a game. We headed up to the game after the wedding. The game went into double overtime. We had 32 shots on goal and not one went in! UGH! The opponent had 10 shots on goal & they didn't score either. It ended in a 0-0 tie.

7. During the game the most beautiful sunset was taking place.......

...it was gojus!

8. Son #1 came up for the game & his buddy took this family shot for us. The lighting in the stadium is so hard to work with and I had to play with this one to come out even half way decent...

9. Son #1 isn't going to be happy when I tell him we are going to have to do another family shot at some point cuz Mama ain't happy with this one.

10. Son #1 will get over it.

11. I was able to get into my creative corner on Saturday and clean it up and play a little. It was nice.

12. I have ALL my soccer game shots edited and uploaded and the link sent out to the parents........FINALLY! Seemed to take forever for me to get caught up!

13. I need to get to work now - another day, another dollar!

Have a wonderful Monday wherever you are!

Photography Class Outtakes

2011-09-23T09:18:00.001-04:00

I've had 2 weeks of my 12 week photography class at the local art institute. So far a lot of it is review, but in all honesty, it's making me more confident in what I'm doing with my camera. It's helping me to see that I do have a pretty good understanding of how my camera works and what to do to fix things.

On Monday night the projector bulb in our classroom was burned out & there was no one there to fix it. So our teacher improvised and took us out for night shooting. It's on our syllabus for later in the course, but she just bumped it up. We headed to the streets with our camera's and tri-pods (I really need a new one) and started playing with different settings.

This is what a slow shutter speed will do - freeze everything but the moving object & give you that blurrrrrrrrrrr of lights from the oncoming traffic.

This is what happens when your teacher is trying to teach you something and she stands in front of your camera & tells you to take her picture so she can show you the effects of what happens on the settings you have on your camera......and then she moves just as you take the shot because another student asks for help.

Seriously, I have 3 different shots where she was posing and then moved on me and they are all blurred! We were making fun of her not being a very good "subject".

Then we headed down to the parking ramp & climbed 8 flights of stairs to get some shots of the skyline and traffic. Since it was a Monday night, there wasn't a lot of traffic, so I just played around with getting shots of the sunset over the city. Don't you love the oranges and blues in that sunset?

..and then only because I was bored and waiting for others to take their shots, I started playing with my camera settings. This is the same shot as above, but only in black & white.......you can still see the colors of the sunset blending together.

We have an assignment for next Monday's class & that is to practice taking shots displaying Depth of Field (DOF). At our soccer game on Wednesday I did just that - see how the flag is in focus, but the players in the back are blurry? This is a shallow depth of field, meaning the focus is very shallow and doesn't go to deep into the picture.

I'm also double dipping here as my prompt for this past week's P::52 photos was "red".

Sorry - I know, I'm a slacker. Sue me.

But in my defense, I feel like my dog Libbi when she chases her tail in circles. Hopefully now that Son #2's team is only playing 1 game on the weekends and not traveling, I'll finally be able to get on track with things and feel like I have some control.

You should see my creative corner counter........but then again, maybe you shouldn't. I can't see it, it's buried.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll try to be back sooner, rather than later!

Morning Sunshine!

2011-09-20T07:05:00.002-04:00

It's not coffee this morning - but orange juice.

So pull up your chair and whatever you're sippin on & let's chat.

1. I am having so much trouble getting into a routine since school started back up.

2. I don't feel like I ever get anything accomplished anymore.

3. Yes, I'm drinking my orange juice straight from the carton this morning. No one else drinks it, & the dishwasher is running - so why dirty another glass?

4. Son #2 is MIAA Offensive Player of the Week this week. Check out this link:

Hope Soccer

5. I had my 2nd week of photography class last night. Ten more to go. So far it's been review for me, but it's also giving me confidence that I know my camera better than I thought.

6. Dream Boy & I are officially members of Bethany Reformed Church now. We met with the Elder's last night and they said we could stay. LOL!

7. I had the best birthday last Friday!

8. I'm going to be late for school if I don't stop talking now.

9. Dream Boy got a new bike, so I'm going to take over his old one. Wish me luck and that I don't fall.

10. That's all I have time for now - wish I could stay longer, but the school bell is gonna ring.

Peace!

Someone Is Another Year Older!

2011-09-16T09:17:00.004-04:00

Yes - ME!

I think I look a little cross eyed in this shot, but maybe it has something to do with the time of morning I took this shot! HA!

As I walked into school this morning, God blessed me with a beautiful gift....

Is this not the most beautiful way to start your day? This glorious sunrise that God painted across the sky - I was so glad to have my camera with me to record it.

Then shortly after arriving in my classroom my "birthday twin" came bouncing into my room!

This is Bree - but I call her "Breezy" as she always makes me smile. She's a senior this year, so I'll miss her birthday hugs.

So, I'm 51 today. I know you're wondering. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed by my age, I embrace it fully! I can't change it, it's who I am and what I am. It doesn't define me -- ask my students. They honestly don't think I'm telling the truth when I tell them how old I am. They think I'm much younger. Some of them think their own mom's are older than me! Ha! One thing is for sure, they are good for my self esteem, eh?

In the last year I've also made some changes in my life. I've become more active - I tried to start a run/walk program a year ago, but developed a hip issue. I got that taken care of and then it was the middle of winter, so I became a little sedentary. But I got back on that horse this summer. After a few run/walks I decided that pounding that pavement just wasn't working for me. So I jumped on my bike and began to ride. Dream Boy changed my tires and put some "smoothies" on my mountain bike. I love it! I am trying to ride at least 40 miles a week now that school has started. It's not always easy, between Son #2's soccer schedule and school and losing daylight hours I have to really make the effort. But Dream Boy keeps cheering me on & encouraging me to ride.

I am so proud of this accomplishment. I have ridden around a local lake twice in the last month - it's about 23 miles around it from our house & back. My other ride routes average 15 miles or so. I also have a riding buddy at times too besides Dream Boy & his riding buddy.

I'm dreading winter because I won't be able to ride, BUT at our "welcome back to school" staff breakfast I received a coupon for a membership to the local YMCA. They will wave my joiner's fee, so all I'll have to pay is my monthly membership which I believe is quite affordable. So I may spend my winter days in the pool. I love swimming and it doesn't beat your body up either.

So here's to another year of health, happiness and just plain good times!

P::52 Music

2011-09-14T22:16:00.003-04:00

How do you put "music" into a still shot? How do you capture the notes, the tunes, the sound, the melody in a still picture?

You can't. You need to use your imagination. But what could I capture on music that might be out of the ordinary?

This.......

Bagpipes.

Son #2 had a soccer game at Alma College. Alma is known as "The Scots". Before every sporting event, the bagpipes are played during the introduction of their teams.

Quite intriguing.

I love bagpipes, especially when they play Amazing Grace.

What's your favorite "unique" instrument?

Welcome To-oo-ooo My Silly Life.

2011-09-13T13:37:00.002-04:00

I feel like I've been going in all directions lately.

College soccer season has started and we spent this past weekend in Chicago. Son #2 played Friday night and Saturday night.

We had a big dinner for the team at a parent's home in the area of Friday night's game. I made mountains, and I mean moUNTAins of macaroni & cheese on Thursday night to take. I ended up with so much, I fed Dream Boy & I for dinner Thursday night & lunch when we returned. I fed a family of 5 for dinner & they had leftovers too. I fed the team of 30 something, which includes players, coaches & managers and I fed almost all the parents and still had enough left over to send home with Son #2 for leftovers for his week!

Oh....and I made chocolate chip cookies. But those only lasted as long as the car ride to Chicago.......and Son #1 got about a dozen for taking Miss Libbi for the weekend.

We watched some of this.....

Then we came home on Saturday night......late.

We got up Sunday morning and headed to church. A good place to start my week.

After church we went to Son #1's and picked up Miss Libbi. She was very happy in his big back yard with lots of room to run!

We came home and then promptly jumped on our bikes and road around Gull Lake for a total of 23 1/2 miles!

Yesterday when I got home from school I took a little siesta. Then I checked some emails and found out that the photography class I really wanted to get into had a last minute cancellation and there was a spot open for me!

It started last night -- so I went last night.

Today it was back to school and I'm out a little early because we are heading to the other side of the state for another college soccer game.

We're such groupies! But, it's our last season and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

So when I can catch my breath and get the bazillion soccer photos edited......

I'll be back.

I promise!

P::52 Water

2011-09-08T18:33:00.000-04:00

Summer is over. School is back in session. My lazy days sitting on the dock or playing in the sprinkler with Miss Libbi have come pretty much to a close.

It also seems that once the calendar hit September, the weather decided it was time for fall --- NOW!

This week's prompt for Project 52 was "water". I was hoping that Labor Day would be nice enough to spend one last glorious day playing at the lake. Nope - it didn't happen. After having 2 days in 90+ heat that pushed almost 100 on Friday & Saturday, a massive front pushed through Saturday night and we haven't seen temps out of the upper 60s, lower 70s since! Now we're in the midst of the remnants of tropical storm Lee. Rainy & dreary here all day & not much change for the next few days. I thought about taking pictures of the rain, but the downpours came while I was sitting in my classroom without my camera near at hand.

So I was forced to go into my archives as I knew I had plenty of shots from this past summer involving "water".

Miss Libbi doesn't care what form it's in...a pool, a lake, a river, a shower, a mud puddle or a hose. If it's water and especially if it's hot - she's in it!

Tomorrow I'm working a half day and then headed out to watch son #2 play some more college soccer this weekend. I probably won't be around much - so have a great weekend everyone!