Life on the Edge

I had a lot of fun this afternoon taking pix of a kid from our church. He's a skateboarder who hopes to go pro someday. Though it was a lot of fun to watch and to photograph, I personally think skateboarders are absolute NUTS! Kids were falling all the time - even the good ones seem to fall frequently and it's on pavement!! OUCH!!! But everyone appeared to be having a good time. And I suppose that when they do land an amazing trick it has to be somewhat the same feeling I get from taking a picture that I'm really proud of. I really am glad that God made us all so different! It does make life much more interesting. :)

YIPEEE!!!!!

Finalist Frenzy!!

Toadally Rich
Mousy Maestro

And the funniest of all is Heather's...

Color Blinds

She wouldn't even put it in her gallery cuz she thought it was so ugly! LOL!!! We should find out by the end of the month if we win or not. I have been entering this contest since the beginning of 2004 and haven't yet gotten a win yet... but I'm always having to remind myself that the competition is extremely steep and incredibly talented so just to get a finalist is quite an honor. In July alone there were over 26300 photos entered into the contest!!!!

You can check view all the finalists here if you are interested and/or bored! :)

It's a Circus

Did anyone else see the circus act over at Seabreeze? They were a lot of fun to watch. After the show I talked with some of the performers and they invited me to come take pictures of them before the park opened. I had a lot of fun, though it was pretty tough to catch the action at times. My camera doesn't always want to focus that fast. The park photographer actually wired himself up above the trapeze and took shots from above. Yikes!!! Apparently he has the same philosophy as me - Anything for a picture!

Hot Frogs!

Aren't they a cute couple? These are my mom's neighbors Fire Bellied Toads which she graciously allowed me to photograph in exchange for a print. They didn't like posing for the camera though and kept me quite busy chasing after them!! I snapped this one just before one of 'em hopped away. I submitted these guys over to Shutterstock this morning for review. Hopefully they will sell as well as my big ugly toad! He continues to sell well and is currently the #1 selling toad over at Shutterstock!! I'm pretty proud of that fact - can you tell??? I've sold 220 photos to date... I'm not going to make my goal of 400 by the end of the month, but, oh well! I'm still having fun and I'm making progress and I'm learning tons in the process. So, that's what counts. I'm also trying to take a breather every now and again and spend some time doing other things besides taking pictures - like spending time with the family. I realize that I can get so wrapped up in this that I miss out on what is really important!! As much as I believe that God gave me this passion - I also know that in His book (the only book that counts) relationships come FIRST! A relationship with Him and then with our families and with others.

Field of Miracles

Nicky Cruz (from the Cross and the Switch Blade and Run Baby Run) will be speaking both Friday night and Saturday night. Also Jason Upton will be leading worship on Sunday evening. It promises to be an awesome weekend and it's all free! So invite all your unsaved friends and family and get out to Frontier Field!!

Flying Fingers

Grandma and Grandpa surprised Jessi with a new electric piano. We had it arranged to arrive while she was away visiting them. First we had to find a new home for our beastly old cabinet grand. After checking with friends we finally resorted to putting a sign out by the road - "Free Piano - inquire within". Within an hour or two someone had claimed it and had arranged to move it on Friday morning. She was thrilled to have a piano for her daughter and we were thrilled to have it out in time as the new piano arrived that evening. Jessi came home on Saturday and nearly walked right past it!! But she is absolutely THRILLED with it. It even has her favorite Pride and Prejudice song prerecorded on it. Plus you can download songs from the web and it will play them for you. I almost wonder why you need to learn to play anymore! But Jessi says it helps her to learn cuz you can slow the songs down (or speed them up if you like) and play along with them. We are all enjoying it.

Optical Illusion

Conversations with Heather

Here's an actual conversation I had with Heather today... She mentioned something about my sister giving her the phone # of a voice teacher so she can take lessons.

I asked: Did you write it down somewhere where you won't lose it?

Heather: Yes... but I lost it.

History Test

We've been visiting my inlaws this week in Virginia. The weather seems to be about what it has been for us only they have air conditioning here. :)

On Sunday we went to the National D-Day Memorial. Seeing as I know next to NOTHING about WWII I was a bit bored cuz everything just went over my lil head. But Brett and the kids all enjoyed themselves. Probably Heather most of all as she's is my WWII history buff. We took the golf cart tour where our tour guide filled us in on all of the exhibits. He had me a bit nervous cuz he said that when we got to the plaques commemorating all of the fatalities there was a name on one of 'em that would just jump out at us. He said he'd have one of the ladies (referring to me or Heather) read the names and see if we could pick it out. Of course Heather insisted that I be the one put on the spot. And she knows more about WWII than I ever will! He said it hasn't failed him yet - EVERYONE catches this name.... My heart was thumping. Would I be the first to fail this little test and look like a complete idiot?! You can bet I was wishing that I had paid more attention in History class!! He pulls up to the plaque and asks me to read the names.... And the very second name, and I kid you not, read George W. Bush!!! Phew! I passed the test.... even lil ole me knew that George W. Bush couldn't have been a fatality in WWII! At least not THE George W. Bush. Our guide went on to explain that our president had a relative also named George W that died in WWII. He said that a guest caught the name on the plaque even before he saw it and he hung it up!!

I'm a Mali Uromastyx

Today was HOT, HOT, HOT! I was so hot that I ran out to the store to buy POPSICLES. Thankfully they weren't sold out yet! I also needed ice cuz mine is melting so fast that I can't seem to make it fast enough.

BUT, it could be worse. It could be COLD outside! So, I'm thankful for the heat!

Martha, I guess you could say I feel like a desert dwelling mali uromastyx!!

Where are They???

Things I have a tough time finding around my house....

1. Tweezers.

2. Pens and pencils that work. (I can always find an abundance that don't write!!!)

3. Clean underwear. (Just kidding!)

4. A calculator.

5. Peace and quiet - except in the wee hours of the morning when I should be asleep.

6. Matching socks.

7. The telephone. That never used to be a problem before cordless - remember those days? LOL.

8. The remote! For Brett and the kids that would be the remote to the TV or stereo. For me it would be my camera remote.

9. My KEYS!!!!

10. Mittens/gloves. But I don't suppose I'll be looking for those for a little while yet.

11. Something edible to make for dinner. And it's doubly hard to find something that we will actually ENJOY eating. :)

Hmmm... that's all I can think of for the moment... But I'm sure there are other things. Our house has a black hole that swallows things up.

Shutterstock

Check out my newest gallery over at Shutterstock! I'm finally making a little money with my Photo's.... And it's stress free and so much fun!!!!

Submit Photos to Shutterstock and make $$$!

Invasion of the Toads

I've been putting the little toads that seem to have invaded our backyard to work these days! This little guy wasn't too thrilled with me and kept hopping away. I spent sometime chasing him around our dining room. But once I started flashing he stayed put and let me take several pix.

Broken

Name that Butterfly...

Does anyone know what kind of butterfly this is? Or how 'bout the flower?? I'm attempting to add this picture to a stock photography site and hopefully make a little $ on it - but I need to know what they are! Also any key words you might come up with would be helpful. I already have: butterfly, red, garden, wing, yellow, holding on, outdoors, beauty....

THANKS!

Toadally John Deere

Jessi caught me this cute little toad so I put him to work! Actually, first I made him stay for hours on end in a hot plastic zip-loc container with a few air holes, some grass, a rock, and some water, and then I made him work before I released him. He sat on Heather's little tractor just long enough for me to take this picture. I thought I'd use it for a book project my mom and I are doing. It's supposed to be a sample card that kids can make. We show them how to set up a little box for their small pet or other critter that they happen to catch so they can take pix and make cards. Now, the problem is... While I love the picture - I just don't know what the card could or should say! Any ideas?! Remember this is a KIDS book so things such as Johnny Deere your no prince, your just a low down toad just won't work. LOL. It should be something they could send to their friends or family....

I actually got out on my bike yesterday! YIPEE!!! I woke up at 7:30ish and decided that even though I didn't have a ton of time (I like to take loooooong bike rides) I'd go for it anywayz. Otherwise it's just not going to happen. Since it was going to be short and sweet (an hour and a half MAX) I wanted it to be a real workout. So I determined NO COASTING ALLOWED! And I took a route with lots of hills. It felt so good! And I had more energy throughout the day than I have had in a long, long while! No naps for me!!! I felt sooo good that I decided to take another bike ride later in the afternoon... We had a meeting out by Chimney Bluffs. I'd ridden to Chimney Bluffs and back on my bike before - so surely I could at least make it one way right? Brett would meet me there with the car and we'd ride home. I knew that I wasn't in shape yet... But I decided that if I took it easy and didn't push myself I could do this - hopefully! And worst comes to worst, Brett will find me alongside the road and pick me up and drive me the rest of the way. So... Off I went. For the most part it's a pretty flat route - so I was doing okay. But once you get to the swamp there is a long, long hill. It's not terribly steep or anything - it just goes on forever!!!! My legs were BURNING!!! But I made it to the top - breathless but thrilled that I was able to push through it. I stopped at that lovely little farm market and asked for a refill on my water bottle. The cashier said to me, "We can't have you dehydrating now!" I also ended up purchasing a bottle of Snapple and guzzled half the bottle down in seconds. Oh! It was good and cold!!! I resisted the temptation of buying ice-cream. :) And I was off again on the last leg of my trip. Also, the hilliest leg of the trip. LOL. It wasn't until the very last hill that I had to walk the bike to the top. Feeling completely humbled - so close to my destination and yet I just couldn't do it. My legs were burning something fierce, I was completely out of breath and of course quite sweaty. But I also realize that as humbling as it is, I still made it to the top of the hill! What did it matter if I walked up or if I rode up? I made it up AND I got to my destination.

I think of our journey with God... God gives us all kinds of terrains. Sometimes it's flat - just going along in the same old routines. I've often learned that those times can be trying for me as I get bored easily! And yet, God might be teaching me contentment and also teaching me to enjoy the little things in life. As I'm going along a flat road I am able to see the cute little rabbit on the side of the road, or enjoy the beautiful sky, or admire the flowers in someone's garden. Sometimes he sends us hills to strengthen us. These can be TOUGH and painful at times. And so often we don't think we are going to make it.... Those are the times where we might need to humble ourselves and walk up! But they are also the times where there is tremendous growth! I remember one year at the end of the season I decided to take Lake Road - lots of big intimidating hills. But because I had been riding all summer long and had built up strength and stamina - the hills actually seemed easy!! And then comes the ride down the hill. It can be exhilarating! With little to no effort you can easily find yourself going faster than you ever dreamed possible! But it can also be dangerous. I was going down a hill yesterday... I can't tell you how good it felt! My legs were enjoying the rest and I was enjoying the wind blowing on my face and hair. But I looked away for a second and hit a nasty rock and came close to a terrible spill! I've discovered that those times where it seems like I am cruising along with God - though they are fun and exciting - are also the times I need to be most on the alert! Those are the times where I often take a nasty spill. Of course God is so good to me and he picks me back up, washes my wound,s and helps me to get back up again. But how much better if I stayed alert!!

Just some thoughts I chew on as I ride....

Martha & Kari

Martha & Kari (actually, her name is Yukari - pronounced just like you + car + ee).

Martha met Kari the other day as she was going door to door selling software (Kari that is, not Martha). Martha mentioned her to me as she was selling a program that was teaching Brazillian portuguese. She thought I might be interested in as Heather has plans to go back to Brazil someday and also to Mozambique where they also speak Portuguese (I think Brazillian, though I'm not completely sure 'bout that!). Apparently they had a nice long visit on Martha's porch and they became fast friends in spite of the fact that Martha didn't buy anything or offer her iced-tea...

Well... Martha just happened to be over at my new neighbor's house and who should come along, but Kari! Martha introduced us and we BOTH ended up purchasing the College Test Prep software that she was selling. (Martha, not Kari!) Actually Heather bought the software - not me, but that's besides the point. It was a good night for Yukari. Not only did she meet up with an 'old' friend and have her picture taken with her - which she thought quite amusing actually! I bet she's never before had her picture taken as she was out selling software! - but she got two sales to boot!!!! It would have been a better night still had I offered her a seat on my porch and offered her iced tea. But alas, it never crossed my mind. Instead we all stood out in the street swatting mosquitos!

Now I'm Cookin!

People are often amazed that I hate cooking/baking and will ask me why? And so I take them through how a dinner at our house is made... (please note, this really is meant in fun so I hope you don't take it as complaining, cooking just isn't my thing.)

First, I have to come up with a menu. Now, menu planning can be quite overwhelming for someone like me who has no idea what to make!! So... after hunting through the recipe books or cards and nowadays sometimes the internet somehow I manage to come up with a few meals. This job really has gotten a little less overwhelming for me as I realized that I will always have at least 1 leftover night (probably more if I plan things right - details on this handy dandy little trick to follow). My family also enjoys a breakfast night where I serve pancakes, waffles or french toast along with sausage or bacon. I usually do a freezer night - where I either pull something I froze earlier in the month out of the freezer OR where I purchase a frozen pizza or something of that nature. So that means I really only have to plan for 4 nights! :) And for those nights when I'm not prepared with anything either cuz I forgot or was just too busy - spaghetti does the trick.

After the menu is made it's time to figure out what I still need from the grocery store so that I can make all these wonderful dishes that I have so carefully planned for my family. This entails hunting through cupboards, digging through my freezer, and searching my fridge and pantry and carefully documenting those items that I need to purchase and how much of each item I need. Hopefully I also think to remember those other necessities I might need such as toiletries!

Next I'm off to the grocery store and it's not until I get to the store, dig through my purse and all of my pockets, and do a thorough search of my van do I finally come to the conclusion that I must have left my list at home!!! So... I attempt to shop by memory!! At least 2 stores and a couple of hundred dollars later (on a good week) I finally head home already exhausted from my shopping excursion. But all that delicious food still has to be put away. And, if you happen to shop in bulk, you know that that can be quite a chore!

Finally, I start the actual cooking process. I pull out my little menu and choose the absolute simplest thing for dinner (cuz I'm so tired from shopping) kicking myself for not having something already in the crockpot or stopping at Subway on the way home!! Halfway through the cooking process I realize that I forgot a main ingredient... So off to IGA I run (unless Brett is home and takes pity on me - which I'm so thankful that he does!!!) to get my 1 little ingredient. $60 - $100 later and several bags of other little items that I discovered I had forgotten on my original shopping trip I head home to finish making dinner. Now, on the occassion I am STILL missing an important ingredient (it has been known to happen), simply repeat this step as many times as necessary knowing that EVERYTIME I run into IGA it's gonna cost me at least $60!!!!

Phew! Dinner is made, the family is at the table, the blessing is said... now the complaining starts. "Yuck!" "We're having that for dinner???" "I'm not hungry." And my absolute favorite, "What's in this????" And on and on it goes. It makes for lovely dinner conversation. But there really is a good side to all this complaining... If they don't like it, there will be even more leftovers! And if I plan things right I could be serving leftovers for DAYS! So, for those of you who hate to cook like me - make something they DON'T like and it really cuts down on kitchen time. Any complaining you may have to endure really is worth it!!!

Dinner is eaten... well, some of it anywayz and now I have the honor and privilege of cleaning it all up!! Okay... for my kids who might happen to stumble upon my blog they would remind me that I have assigned Brian and Jessi dinner clean-up duty, but for the rest of you who might be reading it (especially for the moms out there) you know the story - someone has to clean up after they are done cleaning!!

That's how dinner is done in my house!

Happy cooking!