Some of you know that my mom collects cows. Those of you who are family know that it is leading towards the need for therapy. . . I think I figured a way around it, though. Take a picture of each cow, frame it, and hang it up for her. THEN SELL THE HERD!

Yeah, right! Like I would live long enough to get them out of her room! Anyway, let me introduce you to a few of her cows that I actually LIKE!

This is Clover. I just love her face (and the fact that she is SMALL!).

This is a burlap-covered cow that Mom received a few years ago from a dear family friend. Don't know if this cow had a name but I love the textures and the organic feel of her.

I plan on taking more photos of Mom's cows in the near future. Some for fun, others for documentation purposes because she has several antiques. Oh! And she has the best salt-and-pepper shakers! I grew up with those things on the table at dinner! Just wait until I can post those.

New 'developments'

Since I don't have a bunch of time this evening to re-post some photos, I thought I would just send you all over to my 'still in diapers' photo-blog. Just go into my profile. I am too lazy right now to do a hyperlink. My mom gifted me with a tabletop photos studio kit but with ulterior motives! She was having me take photos of her Red Hatter accessories so they could be used for a Christmas gift idea she and Aunt Martha have been working on. I had already agreed to work on the photos, the studio kit was just a wonderful surprise that made my life so much easier! Go over and have a look! The blue glass jar was photographed within 10 minutes of me getting the kit out of the box!

The kit is definitely going to be used for many things! I see pigs and cows and frogs and Santas and roosters in its future!

Just a little Wiggle...

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO!!!!!

I can knit!! I am thirty years old and I can finally knit!!

Mom has been with me today and she has been knitting. Years ago, like when I was TEN, she tried to teach me how to knit. It didn't work so well. I am left handed with ambidextrous tendencies and the two sides of my brain were unable to work together in harmony so I could basically tie pretty knots in yarn. She struggled, she pleaded, she cried, I cried. She called her grandmother - we lived in Louisiana, she was in Clarksburg, WV. Nothing worked. We quit worrying about it.

Today, however, SUCCESS! I can knit! Literally, just knit. Do NOT ask me to pearl. That is something that may have to wait a few more years. I am just happy I can KNIT! YAY, ME!

(Mom has created a group at her churches that will work to knit or crochet shawls or lap robes for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. An instructional book with patterns and group formation ideas can be found in the Wal-Mart yarn aisle. If your Wal-Mart has done the unthinkable and removed their craft section, just follow the link to their website.)

Tunnel Vision

My Aunt Martha posted photos of her trip to Pittsburgh in October. Well, this past Saturday, DH and I took Mr. Chef to the city for scholarship testing and a tour of PCI Le Cordon Bleu (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute). The trip was worth it. The information we received was fantastic! Did you know that the PCI Le Cordon Bleu is the oldest Le Cordon Bleu in the nation? Yeah, makes that Parent Plus Loan a bit easier to swallow...

So, anyway. Getting into the city meant going through the Tunnel. Before we were even out of WV, I was disappointed with myself for forgetting my camera. Then, on a light bulb moment, I happened to glance down between the front seats of the van and there was my camera case! I had left it in the van overnight (please note, this is not good for your camera on a regular basis, I just had a stupid moment and forgot to pick it up!). So, here is what I have!

Off wandering...

Yep. That has been me. Off wandering in my own little world.

Between Election Depression (yes, I wanted McCain to win but the depression came from just the sudden END of it all...similar to what brides go through after their wedding...), kids and their activities, catching what few minutes we have with the oldest when he is able to come up from college, and planning a wedding...I like my wandering.

The oldest turned 20 the day before elections. My younger brother celebrated his birthday the day AFTER elections. My 9 y/o turns 10 TOMORROW! And our HS Senior spent a few hours at Wal-Mart on Wednesday waiting for the midnight release of WoW's Wrath of the Lich King.

He got the special edition pack (his money, people! He worked for it, he can spend it!) In true WoW form, he and his brother (who called him from college to coordinate this on both ends) both took poster boards to recruit for their guild on the Skullcrusher server, with it written as though in the Trade Chat. (If you want further guild info, just comment...I'll talk to them about it.) Luckily, DH and I aren't anywhere near needing Lich King, yet. When we break lvl 50, we'll talk about it. Oh, in case you haven't noticed, I live with a bunch of computer geeks that infected me! It's all DH's fault! He's the one that was the COBOL programmer in the Marine Corps! Lol!

So, tomorrow HS Senior (Mr. Chef), his dad and myself are going to Pittsburgh for him to test for scholarships at PCI (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu). Since we won't be home most of the day, my Mom is going to watch the two little ones and hopefully be able to go snag my MIL for lunch so they can have a little celebration with Mr. Rebel. We will then have his party on Sunday. He is okay with all this because he is super excited about his brother going to culinary school!

There are a few birthdays next week that I will be making phone calls for (youngest nephew and Aunt Martha). Following that, it is Thanksgiving. We are hosting again this year. My mom, grandparents, and Aunt Martha/Uncle Joe will be coming. As well as, my MIL, two BIL's and their girls. Hopefully, our oldest can make it up from school but he won't know until he gets his work schedule. I love having the family together! Even if it is somewhat incomplete, having just a few of us gives us the chance to remember and be thankful for all we have been blessed with.

So, if you have managed to stick with me through my wanderings, fabulous job! Sometimes, even I get lost in here! Lol! Have a great weekend!

They're kidding, right?

This is unbelievable! Doctors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have discovered a possible link between migraines and a woman's LOWERED risk of BREAST CANCER!

Basically, me feeling like my brain is going to bleed out of my ears means that my boobs stay healthier...

Kind of funny that my husband heard this on the radio today and chose to call me about it...when I was recovering from a two-pill-required migraine... Next time, I will do my best to remember to smile while the scraping, piercing, scalping pain is causing me to lose feeling in my face and neck because, hey!, my rack is doing JUST FINE!

(Please note the dripping sarcasm...)

Happy Birthday!!!

When my grandmother was very young her mother had a little boy who was born with Cerebral Palsy. The doctors were very honest with Great-Grandma and told her that he wasn't strong enough to live very long, probably not more than three years. Tomorrow he turns 76. Yeah, they kind of got that wrong.

Anyway, we had a small party for him at the Care Center he is living in. This morning I called my mom bright and early (she wished I hadn't...really, it was VERY bright and early!) and suggested a blanket for him since he gets chilled easily. She and Grandma loved the idea, so here it is. He is a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers which made the choice of design very easy. This blanket is only little over 1 yard (that's all the black they had) and with me rushing through it, I made it in just under 4 hours. He loved it! Grandma, Pap, and Mom were thrilled with the results and I had so much fun making it.

Do you see that little girl? That gorgeous little baby? She is cute, isn't she? She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Only, she's not so little anymore...today, she is 12.

Twelve years ago my older brother's wife blessed our family with an angel. Today, she loves to play soccer, is a dedicated Girl Scout, and can sew better her Aunt Jenny! (although, that is not too hard for anyone to sew better than me...)

Her younger brothers both celebrated birthdays earlier this month but, boys being boys, they tend to run from me when I have my camera so I don't have any decent shots of them...YET! I will get you....one day....hahaha! They both love soccer, too. Both are also dedicated Scouts. I am so proud of them.

Mamma Mia! What a MOVIE!!!

Mom called me the other day. "Jenny, want to go out with me on Thursday?" After some conversation and confirmation I discovered that "going out with me" meant going out with the Red Hatters! LOL! She has been trying to get me out with them for over 2 years now!

So the next day we head up to the shopping plaza where we are to meet the rest of the group. Mom's in red, I'm in pink (not OLD enough to wear red with them...fuddy duddies...lol). We do a little shopping before the rest of the ladies get there. Mom finds some adorable gifts for a few of her friends for Christmas and I find fantastic place card holders! They are miniature Christmas balls that are flat on the bottom with a jump ring for the loop to hold the card. Adorable!

Once the ladies arrive we head over to the chosen restaurant for lunch. Fabulous food and wonderful fellowship! These ladies are just amazing! Crazy but amazing! Following that, we all head to the theater.

We are the first ones of the day. Most of the group went to see The Women. Mom and I went to see Mamma Mia! Oh, my word! It is such a fabulous movie!!! We were the only two in that theater. We could laugh as loud as we wanted - we did! We could dance in our seats - we did! We could talk back to the movie - we did! We could sing along with the songs without worry - WE DID!!! Oh, I had so much fun!

Mom and I haven't had such a great day in a long time! We laughed, we cried, we giggled (she mostly at me because I drank to much and had to go running to the bathroom before I laughed myself into a wardrobe problem!).

When we got home we immediately brought up the movie's website just to hear the bits of soundtrack, to which my two youngest start moving to after they got home. Little Pirate loved it most of all. He was dancing in place, snapping his fingers, wiggling his hips...Hahahah!

Mom called me later to tell me she went right down to the store and bought the CD soundtrack! Oh, I can't wait to get mine!

Honestly, this was such a great movie! Sure the story line is about a girl trying to figure out which of her mother's three beaus is her father but there is no sex, no violence, just laughing, dancing, singing. It reminds me of all the old Doris Day, Frank Sinatra-type musicals. Oh, what a day!

A Wordle...

Well, the other day Dana introduced us to Black Boxes. Now, I am going to introduce you to something I found because of the Black Boxes...a Wordle.

This is a Wordle. Click on it and it will take you to the site where you can create your own. All you have to do is type words. They can be random or have special meaning. They can describe you or someone you love. Then you can customize your Wordle however you like. If you decide to save your Wordle on that site, the world can view your Wordle. You can then take the html code and paste it on your blog where you can share it with your friends. Enjoy.

Another year...

Seven years ago our lives changed. All of us changed. You, me, the neighbor across the street, the stranger across town. Seven years ago women in this country went into shock and, through the horror and heartbreak, brought forth joy. Seven years ago, I was one of those women. Seven years ago today, my youngest son was born

Little Pirate. 10 lbs 3 oz, 20-1/2 inches long, 15" head and chest. No, ladies, it was not a C-section. He was hiding. He was a surprise.

Seven years ago, we all suffered the horror and heartbreak. Many of us more personally than others. Thousands of pregnant women all over the nation went into shock-induced labor. I was one of them. Thankfully my labor was not far enough along for the hospital to keep me. Two days later, however, that was another story. I had just curled up with my almost-3-year-old little boy (Mr. Rebel) to watch a movie before he went to bed. He laid his head on my belly like he always did. He fidgeted a little more than normal, shifted his head, poked my belly...looking at me with his father's faery blue eyes, he said "Mommy, your tummy is hard! I can't get comfy!" Lol! I swear he did!

I figured it would start, I had been extremely uncomfortable all evening and the hardness of my belly was constant. We finished the movie, got him ready for bed and all tucked in. Then Daddy decided that Mommy needed sleep. That was fun...

So to speed everything up, I arrived at the hospital around midnight, could not progress in my labor, and spent the night holding my MIL's hand because her skin was cool and hubby's was not. Mom was in the waiting room with the boys curled up in blankets asleep on the floor. Hubby went to work with little-to-no sleep. My cousin visited me during her lunch break from the CCU/ICU floor to make sure I ate (they figured out quick who I was related to and then tattled on me for not eating!). They all felt so happy with themselves when half my food was gone before exhaustion claimed me.

Fastforward again, transition hit hard and heavy. Language got bad. Memory loss occured. Family thought I was hilarious. Photos of my mom and aunt are all I have to know the work they put in to help my body relax enough to rest. They rubbed my feet and calves for hours.

Then, after a neat discovery of why I wasn't progressing and a fabulous nurse that conned me into letting her try something - "Oh, honey, don't worry, you won't even notice" - yeah, right! (Honestly, she had to do what she did and if I ever had another baby she would be the nurse I would want in charge of my birthing room!)

9:00 PM. There he is. Not even seconds old and already irritating my doctor! Lol! Of course, not breathing for over 1 minute would have that effect on many people. "Breathe baby, breathe baby...for mommy..." Then the most gawd-awful scream, the indignation very apparent! Lol!

He was impressive. The nurses were shocked. DH was in awe. My response to my husband after hearing the stats of our newest joy? I am woman...hear me roar! To which I promptly pass out from exhaustion.

So, seven years ago, despite the tragedy and loss, new life came forth to make us smile and be thankful. So, Happy Birthday, Little Pirate. Happy Birthday to all the seven-year-olds.

Inspiration and an idea...

When my brother and his family came down to visit this past Spring, they brought all the presents they had been saving from Christmas. My gift from them was this no-sew blanket my SIL Dana made. I just loved it! I still do. It reminds me of the Mardi Gras celebrations my brothers and I grew up with in Louisiana. These are the exact colors put on the King Cakes!

So, I decided to give it a try.

This one is for my niece, Paige. I plan on making one for each of the kids on my DH's side for Christmas. If I can, I will make one for each adult. If not, I am DEFINITELY making one for my MIL. She loves these things! Anyway, each of the four girls (ages 1-1/2, 6, 16, 18) will get the tie-dye pattern with their favorite shade on the reverse. Obviously, Paige's color is purple. Pink, orange, and green are next.

Dana, thanks for the inspiration! I still love my blanket! DH says I remind him of Linus from Charlie Brown...LOL!

Senior Photos

I did a Senior Photo Shoot a week or so ago. This young lady has been part of our lives since our two oldest were in junior high school. She is just an absolute doll! Rebel and Pirate are her "Monkeys" and have been from the first day they met her (they crawled all over her, hence the knickname!).

Anyway, she and Mr. Chef are seniors this year and, both being in band, they have to have a Senior Bio and photo available to put in the Senior Night football program for when they introduce the seniors on the FB team, Cheer Squad and Band. She was complaining about the cost of Senior Photos and the she didn't want them to look like everyone else's. I mentioned that I took Mr. Gamer's photos because we 1) didn't have the money to spend on a photographer what would charge us an arm, a leg, AND our wallet; 2) we didn't have the time to wait. She talked with her mom and her mom suggested asking me to take her photos. So, I did. For free! I have this problem right now about having people pay me to take photos. I just can't do it. I figure if I do it for free I get experience, they get pictures, and I don't have to feel like I am being mean to a customer by telling them what to do...I am so much better at plantlife!

So, I checked with Ms. 4-H (yeah, she's a country girl!) about posting her photos and she said SURE!

Visit and Volunteering

Friday marked the fourth day of school for the three boys still at home. It also marked the third morning without our oldest. We all seem to be doing well. DH called Mr. Gamer to let him know that Mr. Pirate was really missing him. Amazingly, he had called him as he was pulling into the drive to come home and we were just walking back from the bus stop! So Mr. Pirate got to talk to his brother and be reassured that he wasn't that far away, it's okay to miss him but he would be home every so often to visit and check on him so he best do his homework! Haha! Mr. Rebel was thrilled to hear his brother's voice. As usual, they talked 'video games', being so much alike.

As I left the house at 3:45 pm that Friday afternoon, a blue car pulls up. Mr. Gamer!! Lol! He had come back to get a few more things that hadn't fit in the car the first trip and to pick up his girlfriend to visit with her. He walked up to the bus stop with me to surprise the youngest two, who have missed him tremendously. Oh, their smiles! It was a beautiful thing. Mr. Pirate looked confused at first, unsure if he was really seeing his brother. Then the joy, pure and radiant, came bubbling to the surface! Running, arms open, he was enveloped in a hug only a brother can give. Mr. Gamer smiled, hugging both Rebel and Pirate, growing up in front of me, learning instantly that his brothers' love is something that is given unconditionally and will always be there; always be a joyful thing.

So, volunteering... sounds like a great thing, and it is. Just keep in mind that the volunteering I speak of requires a recovery period. For the last 7 years, the high school band members have volunteered to answer phones during the MDA Telethon at our local TV station. A few years ago, the coordinator had several groups from a different high school back out at the LAST MINUTE. I am talking, she needs volunteers and needs them NOW! So, being a band parent herself, she starts calling all her band kids. I was the first parent that actually answered the phone. For the next 20 minutes we worked out what could be done, who we needed, and "Fran, you're going to need chaperones for this if it works!".

So, DH and I tossed our hat in the ring. What ring? The thing has been called the MDA Overnighter for the last 3 years! Yep, an average of 25-30 high school band kids sleep in a TV station overnight to answer phones at scheduled times during the wee, WEE, hours of the morning. They arrive around 10:30-11:00pm, stuff envelopes, get their sleeping bags set up and work on-air segments and answer phones.

DH and I have chaperoned this shindig every year. This year, we fully embraced our position as chaperones. I was the Girls Warden and DH was the Prison Guard for the guys. The kids sleep in different rooms, on opposite ends of the floor we stay on. They bring games, books, cards, etc., anything to keep themselves entertained until we get passed the first few segements and then they have a few hours downtime to rest. This year we had a rather interesting game of Twister! And I have the photos to prove it! Those will be going on the slideshow at the Spring Band Banquet! heheheh!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend!

Closing of a book, opening of an adventure...

I cannot guarantee I will not cry while typing this. *sigh*

A book has been closed. A new adventure has begun. Our oldest moved out yesterday. Brimming with excitement and joy, he and his friend of over 10 years packed their cars with his life-filled boxes, said 'Good-bye, I love you' to his dad, me, and his little brothers, and drove away.

My house is quiet, my mind is still, my heart is aching. There is no one to shoo off to work, make sure he remembered his wallet, remind him not to leave his iPod in his pants for me to wash, or nag about calling his mother to check in with her. My husband is unusually somber and I have no way of helping him.

Mr. Rebel is sad but knows his brother is only just over an hour away and will be back regularly. Mr. Pirate, the youngest, has had his heart broken. He cried yesterday before, during and after his brother left. This morning, his second day of school, he stood at the now-empty desk in the living room and cried. Mr. Chef's computer use to sit there and is now in the bedroom where Mr. Gamer's computer was. He just cried. Tears rolling down his face and this lost look in his eyes. It will be hardest on him.

I miss him. I missed him the moment he walked out the door. I don't think he knows how hard it is to let him go. I met him when he was 8 years old and just fell in love with him and his brother. They have been my life for over 11 years. He pushed my buttons, drew me pictures, made me laugh, made me cry. He made me a Mom. I remember when he thought my idea about starting band was kind of cool. I remember when he opened my younger brother's trombone case. It was almost as big as he was! Hmm. The look in his eyes upon seeing that gleaming brass... My brother became a hero that day. This outgoing child finally found his outlet, his avenue to shine.

*sigh* So, it begins again in a new book. A new place, a new city, a new beginning. He is reaching for his life with both hands but, thankfully, remembers to bring his family with him even if only through a phone call to let me know he made it safely.

Censorship at its best...

...is the liberal U.S. news media HIDING the success and benchmarks of the war in Iraq. So, where do we go to get ACCURATE news coverage? British news outlets, of course!

It irks me that so many Americans think that the news outlets in the U.S. are giving them accurate and TRUTHFUL accounts of what happens in Iraq. If they were doing that, then there would be more support for our troops and more understanding of WHY we are over there to begin with. Sadly, so many are blinded by the smoke and mirrors that the liberal media put in place to hide the fact that they were WRONG. Sadly, so many are treating our troops today like those that came home from Vietnam just because the media is bent on an agenda to control society's decisions. That isn't freedom, people.

So, here is the point of the whole post, which does step away from my usual theme.

"Winning Isn't News By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY Posted Monday, July 07, 2008 4:20 PM PT Iraq:

What would happen if the U.S. won a war but the media didn't tell the American public? Apparently, we have to rely on a British newspaper for the news that we've defeated the last remnants of al-Qaida in Iraq.

---------------------------------------------------------------

London's Sunday Times called it "the culmination of one of the most spectacular victories of the war on terror." A terrorist force that once numbered more than 12,000, with strongholds in the west and central regions of Iraq, has over two years been reduced to a mere 1,200 fighters, backed against the wall in the northern city of Mosul.

The destruction of al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) is one of the most unlikely and unforeseen events in the long history of American warfare. We can thank President Bush's surge strategy, in which he bucked both Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington by increasing our forces there instead of surrendering. We can also thank the leadership of the new general he placed in charge there, David Petraeus, who may be the foremost expert in the world on counter-insurgency warfare. And we can thank those serving in our military in Iraq who engaged local Iraqi tribal leaders and convinced them America was their friend and AQI their enemy.

Al-Qaida's loss of the hearts and minds of ordinary Iraqis began in Anbar Province, which had been written off as a basket case, and spread out from there. Now, in Operation Lion's Roar the Iraqi army and the U.S. 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is destroying the fraction of terrorists who are left. More than 1,000 AQI operatives have already been apprehended. Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin, traveling with Iraqi forces in Mosul, found little AQI presence even in bullet-ridden residential areas that were once insurgency strongholds, and reported that the terrorists have lost control of its Mosul urban base, with what is left of the organization having fled south into the countryside.

Meanwhile, the State Department reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government has achieved "satisfactory" progress on 15 of the 18 political benchmarks - a big change for the better from a year ago. Things are going so well that Maliki has even for the first time floated the idea of a timetable for withdrawal of American forces. He did so while visiting the United Arab Emirates, which over the weekend announced that it was forgiving almost $7 billion of debt owed by Baghdad - an impressive vote of confidence from a fellow Arab state in the future of a free Iraq.

But where are the headlines and the front-page stories about all this good news? As the Media Research Center pointed out last week, "the CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 were silent Tuesday night about the benchmarks" that signaled political progress.

The war in Iraq has been turned around 180 degrees both militarily and politically because the president stuck to his guns. Yet apart from IBD, Fox News Channel and parts of the foreign press, the media don't seem to consider this historic event a big story. "

Chew on that for a bit...

More Celebrations...

Friends of our two oldest boys have a fireworks show the day after Independence Day and invite all their friends (and the families) to come watch. They live on top of one of the ridges, so they have no worries about space for the show. This year, thanks to my mom, I was able to go. Like the good little Shutterbug that I am, I took my camera and my tripod.

These are taken in order, though it is only a few of the many fireworks that went off that night. My favorite is the second to last photo.

Independence Day!

Normally, we all gather at my grandparents for a full day of activities. This year, however, I stayed home most of the day. It was a rare treat to have all four boys in the house at the same time (and not fighting!) and we just wanted to enjoy the moment. Mr. Chef did have to work in the evening but finished around 8pm, so we were able to go to Grandma's after that.

The porch was the popular place to be due to the soaking rains that happened on and off during the day. Rebel and Li'l Pirate were off and running playing with their cousins in the evening light as soon as they were out of the van. It was nice to see everybody.

Aunt Martha and I sat for a while, playing with our camera settings, hoping to find the right combination. In the end, I settled on the FIREWORKS setting, just to be on the safe side. The soaking rains that had let up and given us hope for a cloudy but rain-free show decided to make a comeback! Aunt Martha and I stood under a tree with umbrellas protecting us and our camera (although mine started to leak right on my head!). Mom found a perfect spot for us to stand after discovering our first location gave us a great shot of a telephone pole.

Following the County show, my older brother set off a few...

And following that, my two oldest, Mr. Gamer (19) and Mr. Chef (17) decided it was time for Balls of Fire! Oh, yes. Literally. I have it ALL on video. But that is for another time but only because I still have to edit.

I remember...

An inspiring post by Aunt Martha has me remembering. . .

I remember playing in the parsonage in Keyser during the summer, Grandma cooking in the kitchen and Granddad sneaking me and my brother's ice cream before dinner. I remember my dad, so strong to be able to help me pound the nail into the mantle to hang my stocking at Christmas. I remember moving into new neighborhoods with strange people and new schools. I remember a puppy the color of a honey-golden sunrise living next door becoming a member of our family. I remember a mouse that wasn't there, despite my mother's insistence that it was, until it ran over my dad's belly while wiring the train platform! I remember.

I remember my brother Greg dropping a hand weight on his head and getting stitches on his forehead. I remember hitting on those same stitches with a cap gun and getting grounded for a week. I remember my both my brothers taking time out of their busy 'boy' lives and playing with me, their only sister, and knowing that I will always treasure those moments. I remember my brother Eric leading the way for me to start band in school and how I never looked back once I got there. I remember.

I remember my mom making the most fantastic birthday cakes with my dad for the three of us children. The train, the ballet slippers, the bunny. . .

I remember the tornado that ripped through our neighborhood on Palm Sunday one year in Louisiana. The camp stoves being drug out, the smoker already going, the trek through the muck and downed-trees to make sure the elderly lady had food beyond the PBJ sandwiches she was planning on eating. I remember sleeping on the floor in the den in sleeping bags just so Mom and Dad knew we were safe . . .

I remember leaving Louisiana to return to West Virginia. I remember the last time I looked at my dad's parents as we pulled away from the house. . .Grandma standing, so still, no shaking; Granddad tall and straight, so strong. I love that memory. I remember seeing the Ohio River, hearing my mom tell me '25 minutes, Jenny. 25 minutes'. I remember MacBeth . . .

I remember my first Snow Day, 3 sets of clothes in rotation, a huge snowman, and Grandma's never-ending supply of hot chocolate. Then there was the alley behind Grandma's, cousins, and sleds. I remember freezing at 70 degrees while the rest of the class was in shorts, thanks to growing up in the south.

I remember my dad kneeling in the field next door painting a metal stand, brown and gold, paw prints to match. I remember the Pepsi booth and half-time shows and my mother sewing me into my uniform. I remember . . .

I remember 10 years ago today, standing in front of my family and friends. I remember his face, his touch, the hope I felt . . .I remember saying, "I do" and I would again. I remember . . .and am thankful.

Tiger Lily - Unedited

I seem to be getting better, at least in my own mind. Fewer and fewer of my photos are getting edited. Most just get my signature and a bevel border. This one, however, just has my signature. I promise, this is the true color of the lily on my front patio. It's a gorgeous orange that just begs to be looked at. It amazes me every day, the colors that God gives us.

Oh, and for those of you keeping tabs on the camera contest from Nikon, I didn't get into the finals with it. That's okay, though.

Some-things pretty...

The Sun and a flower

I took this photo this morning before I started work on finishing a raised bed for our garden (yay, cucumbers!). This is UNEDITED but for turning the photo and trying to disguise the power line with my copyright. Aunt Martha, still within the fair contest guidelines, correct?

I have been playing with Aperture and Shutter Speed the last few weeks. Most of my photos are done in my Program setting but I am trying to stretch outside my comfort zone. Plus, Aunt Martha has taken some AWESOME photographs and I am hoping to get some half as good!

Photo Contest

Greetings All!

I need your help! I have entered a contest to win one of 60 Nikon D60 DSLR Cameras. I would love for everyone to go have a look at my photos and, if I am chosen as one of the 120 finalists, to vote for me starting June 25th! Please, help me out!

Here is the link to my photo library on the site. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. There are so many things I could do with the D60! My 9 y/o would love for me to win since he would get to use my Canon S3 for his photos. Again, thank you!

Some randomness

A stack of dessert plates, believe it or not. I couldn't resist.

Napkins. Macro is so much fun!

Post happy...

Yes, I posted many things today. For some reason, I have been very awake! I like it! Especially since it happened without my medication. Not only have I posted the pieces below, I have also cut down a tree that was growing from under my house and had gotten out of control; planted tomatoes and marigolds in the raised bed my DH lovingly added top soil to several days ago (it finally dried enough); and I put away all of Little Pirate's and Mr. Rebel's clean clothes (took an hour but it involved removing winter clothes as well).

Tomorrow's goal? Finish drilling holes in the treated timbers for the new raised bed, sink the rebar, and fill with soil; finish putting all the clean laundry away; and tackle the kitchen! Let's see how everything goes. Hopefully, I haven't aggravated my right hamstring, which got pulled on Saturday from rebuilding the rock walls for the front garden beds so I could plant my petunias and alyssum. Oh, well. I'll find out in the morning.

Goodnight, All! Happy Gardening!

Beautiful...

These were taken a few days ago but I didn't get to them until this evening. My youngest, Little Pirate, was chasing this butterfly all the way home from the bus. It finally landed, once I got L'il P to quit scaring it, and the photo op proceeded.

I have no idea what kind of butterfly it is, just that it is beautiful. Mon@rch (Tom) please feel free to comment on what I am looking at!

I have been...

..playing with my editing program. I discovered a few things that I think I like!