Cygnets

After several attempts throughout the day I am finally able to upload pix to my blog! YAY!!!

Here are the pix of the cygnets. Aren't they sooooo cute?! What's up with the book "The Ugly Duckling"? Just what is so ugly about these little guys?

Cluster Map

Most everyone else has gotten a cluster map... so I figured it was high time I got one myself! Oh the peer pressure one faces in the blogging world!!

Snakes, Insects, Cygnets, and Other Critters

My mom and I went shooting today.  First we headed out to Mendon Ponds Park in the hopes of getting some beaver shots and possibly some chickadees.  We were told they would eat right out of your hands there.  After quite sometime of searching we finally found the beaver pond.  We saw 4 or 5 beaver huts....  but alas!  No beavers in sight!!  (I'd still be interested in going to the one in Canandaigua - Priscilla????)  We did find a snake and a toad.  I was kinda bummed cuz actually at one point the snake had the toad's foot in his mouth and that would have been an awesome nature shot (albeit kinda gross!) but the frog managed to wiggle free from the snake before I got the shot.  I'm sure the toad was relieved even if I was a bit disappointed. 

 

We didn't see any chickadees.  We've decided we'll head back come winter time.  That's when they are more desperate for food and then maybe we'll get 'em eating out of our hands.

 

We saw TONS of deer!  They were everywhere!  But....  I still could not get close enough.  I desperately want a longer lens for my camera.  I'm sure I could have gotten SOMETHING today if only....  But I suppose I'm coveting...  and I've heard that coveting isn't such a good thing to do..... 

 

I resorted to taking pix of insects.  There were oodles of grasshopper nymphs and several dragon flies as well as other insects.  But poor Jessi just wasn't herself today and didn't seem to want to hang around just to take pictures of insects even if my mom and I would have been able to amuse ourselves for the entire day!

 

We went over to visit the swans.  All three ponds had their babies.  The first pond (where Martha and I went shooting a few weeks ago) had the most babies (I think there were 5) and the third pond only had two hatch.  We heard that a snapping turtle got one of the babies - but we don't know if that was rumor or not as there have been numerous rumors flying around about the swans!

 

We also went roaming a neighborhood in the Irondequoit area that my mom frequents.  She's seen deer everywhere in this little area and we weren't disappointed.  Right off the bat we saw a momma and her fawn.   Although I snapped a few pictures...  I didn't really get anything worth showing....  (covet, covet!)

 

Though I had many disappointments it was still a good day and I did get a few pictures that I liked.  And I was thankful for the beautiful weather.  Poor Jessi though...  She was really dragging by the end of the day.  I knew she didn't look or act herself most of the day and she seemed to get worse and worse.  By the time we got home she was feeling rather warm and sure enough!  She was running a temp of 101.5!  UGH!!  She zonked out on the couch almost immediately!  Sure hope she's feeling better in the morning.

 

We did have some bad news today too...  The article about Kyle that we submitted to Highlights was rejected.  They said that it didn't fit their current needs.  On the good side, they told us to keep submitting!  That part was handwritten and not simply a part of a standard form letter so we are taking that to mean that they really did like our work....  they just didn't see that particular article fitting in with their current needs. 

 

That about wraps up my day!  I'm all pooped out!  :)

 

(I'm having trouble with uploading pix...  will have to add them later!)

Withdrawl!

I think I'm going through withdrawl! I haven't been able to take pictures in what seems like an ETERNITY! So, in spite of the foreboding weather, and the gazillion and one pictures that I already have of geese, I headed up to the town park in search of the goslings that I know I saw over there several days ago. But, alas, they were no where to be found! I wonder what could have become of them... With all the rumors and stories about oiled eggs and birdnappings one might wonder....

Anywayz, it started to rain just before I got there, so I headed right back home. I ended up snapping a few pix from my own garden in between sprinkles. Hopefully that will get me through until I can REALLY shoot some pix!!!! As ya'all know, I'm not much of a flower photographer... but ANYTHING for a pix fix!!!

O Boticario

I found, rather by chance, this little store called O Boticario in Irondequiot Mall today. It's actually a chain from Brazil. They sell perfume/cologns, lotions, soaps, and other skin and hair care products. I bought some Sunflower Illuminating Lotion and I LOVE IT!!!! It has a nice scent, not at all overpowering, and it doesn't leave that greasy feeling that so many lotions can leave. It also "adds a hint of golden shine to your skin." Very cool indeed!! Anyway, it's a very nice little shop and you can sample anything in the store. We even left with several samples of perfume.

It was extra fun for me cuz I had the opportunity to talk with two of the saleswomen who happen to be from Brazil. (There is another saleswoman who is from the US - though I didn't meet her.) The one actually lived in Sao Paulo for several years. We talked about some of our experiences there and she talked about the pros and cons of Brazil verses the US. She says that though food and housing is cheaper in Brazil most everything else is more expensive plus you simply can't make as much money there. Apparently there is really no minimum age for drinking - at least it's not enforced so young kids drink. The same goes for smoking and getting tattoos. We experienced the driving - it's horrendous in Brazil!! Though we never actually witnessed an accident we did almost get run over a few times. Very scarey indeed!! The thing she misses most, besides her family, is that fact the Brazilians are very open and friendly. She says that Americans are difficult to get close to. And I have to agree - the Brazilians welcomed us with open arms and loved us immediately. We tend to be much more reserved and stand-offish in comparison.

Please Pray!

Please pray for Jessi. She's feeling really sick today! I think it's the flu - throwing up and body aches and a fever. YUCK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!!!!

It's my hubby's Birthday today. He is 41 years old! YIKES!!! The scarey thing is, I'm not far behind him. Anywayz... I had a terrible time finding a recent picture of him - so I'm resorting to an oldie! He wasn't sure exactly how old he was in this picture but he says since he's not wearing glasses it must be sometime before 5th grade.

In honor of his birthday I'm gonna do 13 things about Brett....

1. This is him with his prize winning kite that he built and designed himself. He won a trophie for flying the highest and the longest.
2. He loves history - in particular WWI.
3. He works for EDS with the Xerox account as a Network Engineer. I used to have some sort of idea what he did before he became an engineer - but now I really am CLUELESS! (He says he is too!!!)
4. His favorite meal is Veal Parmesean. (I just learned that! Guess I better learn how to make it huh?!)
5. He is a junkfood junkie! He especially likes Hershey chocolate bars, dump cake, and jelly beans.
6. He was in the first graduating class at Webster Christian School.
7. He graduated in the top ten of his class!!! WAY TO GO!!!! 8th out of 9 is some accomplishment is it not?!
8. He loves bulldogs and would love to own one someday.
9. He enjoys NASCAR and his favorite driver is Tony Stewart.
10. He also is into Professional Bull Riding. YIKES! I can't watch it!!
11. His favorite car is a 65 Buick Riviera. It used to be a 57 Chevy so this was new to me!!
12 His favorite color is purple.
13. He says he has a beautiful wife and 3 terrific kids.

JUNE SPECIAL

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Update

I confess - I'm not superwoman! :) I just can't seem to keep it all up. How do people run a household, homeschool, AND find time to do extras like blogging??? I'd sure like to know their secret - and maybe have an ounce or two of their energy!!!!

Update on Rocket... He's still feeling pretty yuck, thouh he hasn't been throwing up like he was. Brett looked up his condition online and it sounds like He's got congestive heart failure. He's sure having a tough time breathing.

Burned!

While writing my previous post I totally forgot that I had hummingbird food on the stove. We now have the sickly sweet smell of burnt sugar permeating our entire downstairs. And I just may have destroyed my small sauce pan!!!

(I have yet to get a good shot of a hummer!!!!)

Our Poor Sick Puppy

Rocket really isn't a puppy anymore even if he still looks like one! He hasn't been feeling well at all lately and so I thought I should dedicate my blog to 13 things about Rocket...

1. He's a miniature poodle.
2. He was a stray.
3. My dad brought him over to us cuz his friend who found him thought that he needed kids.
4. He's about 15 years old and came to live with us about 13 years ago.
5. He has a tug-o-war toy that he used to play with... but now he just doesn't have the energy anymore.
6. He used to play fetch by himself when he couldn't find someone else to play with him. He'd carry his tennisball to the top of the stairs, throw it down and run after it, climb the stairs and do it again.
7. He loves biscuits!!
8. He will only eat his food in the dining room. No matter where we put his dish he will carry his food to the dining room to eat - so I always have a trail of crumbs from his dish to the dining room!! For a while I even tried putting his dish down in the basement. He would go downstairs and come back up with a mouthful of food and when it was gone he'd head down for another mouthful.
9. He HATES the rain!!! One day, when it was raining pretty hard outside, I knew I was going to be gone all day... So I stood outside in the rain with him hoping he'd do his thing. No such luck!! Come evening, I stopped quickly by the house to try again... I figured by now he'd be desperate. He still refused to go! So off I went and didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning (by this time it had been well over 24 hours since he'd gone)... As soon as I got in the house he just couldn't hold it any longer and let it loose all over the carpet. UGH!!
10. He hates baths and getting his haircut.
11. He's afraid of Mango cuz Mango bit him on the nose once.
12. He likes other dogs and will follow them home.
13. He's afraid of the vacuum cleaner, brooms, and my camera! The only way I can get a picture of him is if Brett or Brian is there to protect him or I corner him!!

Grampy

Jessi and I went to visit Granny & Grampy yesterday. Since I already did 13 things about Granny - I thought it was be time to do 13 Things about Grampy...

1. He signs his name V. Glenn McIninch. I don't think he's too keen on his first name and so he goes by Glenn. I'll leave you all to figure out what the V stands for! :)
2. He worked at Kodak and firmly believes that Kodak makes the best cameras.
3. He took up windsurfing when he was in his 70's.
4. He loves photography too! He has THOUSANDS of slides but once he got his digital camera he never went back to film!!
5. He used to trim his bushes into different animal shapes.
6. He designed their house (and built much of it too!) and included such features as hidden doors that lead to extra storage and a laundry shoot.
7. He gave me a 1970 Ford Torino when I was 16. It was my first car and ever so cool!!
8. Once he got stuck in a butter churn.
9. He is a quiet, thoughtful sort and ever so nice!
10. He loves little kids once they start talking but isn't so sure what to do with babies.
11. He has 9 siblings! However 3 died when they were babies and two died as young adults.
12. He loves to talk about history and loves to share memories from his childhood.
13. He doesn't get mad very often, in fact I've never really seen him angry. But he told Jessi about the time he got mad at his brother and threw a wet paint brush at him. :)

Highlights

I got my hair done yesterday. It was my first time getting highlights. I actually let Heather take a picture of me so you all could see the results.

Now, you must know how it is to get your picture done by Heather... First she tells me I look slouchy and tells me to straighten up! Then she says I look stiff and too posed! Then she tells me to smile, and, being the obedient mom that I am, I smile. She starts cracking up! Now she says I look like a chipmunk and so she tells me not to smile. Of course by this time I'm having a hard time not smiling - even if I do want to smack her for telling me I look like a chipmunk! She snapped a couple of pictures and starts laughing again and tells me that I look NAKED!!!! No wonder I hate having my pictures done!! Ahhh well. What do you think? Am I cool yet???? Am I just the happening thing?!!

Beka says we need to work on make-up next.... And then, who knows, maybe a tatoo or a belly piercing. How 'bout a nose ring? Or better yet, maybe I should get my tongue pierced!

Becoming World Champ

I thought I'd share a project my mom and I have been working on. It's a magazine article about Kyle, a 10 year old boy, who is a rising star in the world of Radio Controlled Helicopters. He is already competing against some of the top pilots in the world. (This picture is of Kyle with a pilot who is ranked number 2 in the world.) Kyle is extremely dedicated - practicing hours every day, whether on the field or on a simulator. His parents actually have to make him stop sometimes to do other things! But they are very supportive of his hobby and do all they can to help him succeed at his goal of becoming world champ!

We sent our manuscript and pictures off to a publisher several weeks ago and never heard BOO!! BUMMERS. But it is off to another publisher (Highlights). So maybe...

We also have plans of making a book on the hobby of Radio Controlled Helicopters. It is a growing hobby. People spend thousands of dollars on helicopter kits, teaching videos, radios, simulators, engines and other parts and paraphernalia. They have to first build their helicopters! And they often crash (though Kyle doesn't!) and have to either repair or rebuild. To each his own I suppose! I have my hobby and wonder why everyone doesn't want to be a photographer and I'm sure these hobbyists wonder the same!! LOL. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully different God created each person.

RC Photos

This is Kyle with his Radio Control. The clothes pin indicates the frequency that he must use for that event.



Kyle spends hours on a simulator. It's supposed to be just like the real thing! Many kids think it's fun to crash on a simulator. Not Kyle. He hates crashes of ANY kind!!



Hovering upside down just above the grass is a dangerous and difficult maneuver that Kyle manages with ease.



Pilots have lost their helicopters by flying beyond what their eyes could see!




Every morning Kyle watches the same video that teaches various maneuvers while eating his breakfast. Even while I was photographing this scene he was oblivious to me and the camera and lights.




Kyle has all kinds of paraphernalia relating to helicopters.



As mentioned earlier - Kyle is already winning against the best of the best! Here he is with his very first trophy.

Quiddler

We learned a new card game this week. I bought Heather Quiddler for Christmas a few years ago and we had never even opened it! Jessi pulled it out the other day and asked if I would play it with her. It was a lot of fun! Kind of a cross between Scrabble and Rummy. The game consists of 8 hands. In the first hand everyone receives 3 cards, in the second 4, all the way up to 10 cards in the last hand. Each card has a letter or a phonogram (ie. th, qu, er, etc.) and each has different point values. On each turn you draw a card from the draw pile or the discard pile and see if you can use all your cards to make a word or words with one left over to discard. Each word must use at least 2 cards. When you can use all your cards you may lay them down and then each player has one more chance to play. They may lay down any words that they have in their hand and only cards that don't make words are counted against them. To score each hand you add up the points on the cards (minus any left-over cards). You receive a 10 point bonus for having the longest word and another bonus is given to the one who laid down the MOST words. If there is a tie the bonus is forfeited. Fun and educational! What more could you ask for?!

Apology

Hmmmm... It's been a while since I last blogged! Many apologies to all my fans. :) I will try and do better!! But I've been sooo busy! This week is especially busy.

She's Back!!

Joni Spaz Deere is back! Be sure to check out her new and improved blog!!