tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-119229042024-03-07T02:50:38.451-05:00Redhead MommyDenise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-1766041460730112952012-06-12T22:19:00.000-04:002012-06-12T22:19:01.384-04:00Confessions of a Newbie Photographer<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{1} </span>I still enjoy using my point and shoot....I'll admit, there are times when I don't want to worry about the light, and the focus, and the <i>composition</i> of a shot. I want to simply point my camera at the action (usually my family) and take those campy, off-kilter snapshots that (I believe) have a charm all their own. Which is why I utilize Instagram so much on my phone. Truly, in real life, we are not always poised, we are not always perfectly lit, sometimes we are <i>awkward</i>. Snapshots show that angle of our lives, ad I don't think they should be discarded just because I'm learning to use my super-cool<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1926247951"> </a><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera" target="_blank">DSLR</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCHO54E7DTQkurOys3ZA5NR2SaD_MiGyinrbF26VFcZKhcbebN4lHVTMuen2lXgyKYXtt0m9VQo8mNGVGdRuoR4yAReKaMUp8L-98IaZjUgDbnmDPelWu30FjBd-0fmsrWmD71A/s1600/IMG_4253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCHO54E7DTQkurOys3ZA5NR2SaD_MiGyinrbF26VFcZKhcbebN4lHVTMuen2lXgyKYXtt0m9VQo8mNGVGdRuoR4yAReKaMUp8L-98IaZjUgDbnmDPelWu30FjBd-0fmsrWmD71A/s320/IMG_4253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{2} </span> All my DSLR pictures are not in RAW (If you have no idea what RAW is, look <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/raw-vs-jpeg" target="_blank">here</a>.) Sometimes, even if I AM using my DSLR, I just want the <i>freedom of knowing</i> I can upload the pictures directly and they are what they are (although, despite my want for that "freedom", I've caught myself thinking "If 'd just shot that in RAW, I could.....")<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltBJx6K7cCM2hEsgrRnU2Q91OtjI1jtq2Y4KStzwTOoKBwqsnaYb5BSut-v8Bz-KfoukICeFi2iS9S0bzbiVoottHXbVE5UfQj4hbBC3MiGIGvtcSwBiOKzTcflrkR74MBZQ3Yg/s1600/IMG_4336_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltBJx6K7cCM2hEsgrRnU2Q91OtjI1jtq2Y4KStzwTOoKBwqsnaYb5BSut-v8Bz-KfoukICeFi2iS9S0bzbiVoottHXbVE5UfQj4hbBC3MiGIGvtcSwBiOKzTcflrkR74MBZQ3Yg/s320/IMG_4336_edited-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{3} </span> It frustrates me to no end that my skill is no where near what my eye and my sense of what is "good" is. Frustrating, but highly motivating, too! I think I have a pretty high standard of what qualifies as quality photography, probably because of my art background, and it only highlights how much I DON'T know about this passion of mine.When I find myself getting too hung up on this discrepancy, I remind myself of <a href="http://designtaxi.com/news/351687/Ira-Glass-On-Creativity-Told-In-Kinetic-Typography/" target="_blank">this quote</a> by Ira Glass, which hangs on my wall behind my computer monitor. It gives me hope!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbC4gqZGPSY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{4} </span>Photo editing and digital design has become something of an obsession for me....and I know that isn't good. When my neck has a cramp in it and I feel like my bum is permanently molded to our computer chair, it means I need to get up and move...but just one more picture....what if I tried THIS instead.....that needs a little more light...what about that template I haven't tried out yet? .(well, you get the idea). I'm still finding that delicate balance between my work and my family and home. The scales are probably tipped (just slightly) in the favor of photography/editing right now...but I'm working my way back to center!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{5} </span>I'm learning my <i>style</i>, both in photographs and in other aspects of my life. <i> What is your style? </i>That's a big question for new photographers, if you didn't know. But I'm finding very quickly that my style is quite a bit like my personal taste. In clothing style, I cringe at what I consider <i>too much: </i>I like the classic, casual look. I'm the same with personalities: I like to surround people who are straightforward, easy, calm, and with a flash of humor and sarcasm. Complicated, brazen, flashy, arrogant. These are personality traits that I avoid. In home decor, I prefer a simple, sometimes rustic, natural look, with a touch of flare. I suppose I should not be surprised (and yet, it is a new insight for me!) that as in other aspects of life, in photography , I aim for clean, rich, natural colors, with sometimes a touch of something extra. My goal is for my photographs to be visually soothing, yet interesting to see. Now that I know this about myself, I'm going to be looking to see if other photographers I know are the same way...hmmm....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQw6tPDCVDVJsm2Kqo8hytGCqD1a1yt5_Qfh7BM9lx09wH5W2Lkavd7rvOY64BeamhxqBH5SkAZVZk0NBYh__y8T2GRgPRXBwCAqVnnJnouDYw1UeITSfPEF1zKib_ECEnEUm5g/s1600/IMG_4213_edited-1w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQw6tPDCVDVJsm2Kqo8hytGCqD1a1yt5_Qfh7BM9lx09wH5W2Lkavd7rvOY64BeamhxqBH5SkAZVZk0NBYh__y8T2GRgPRXBwCAqVnnJnouDYw1UeITSfPEF1zKib_ECEnEUm5g/s320/IMG_4213_edited-1w.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">{6} </span> I know I'm nowhere near what I'd call a PRO, but I know enough to be deeply offended by those who think that if you have a quality camera that you can take photos equivalent to those who have more practice/education/skill. That's like saying if you buy a really nice guitar, you are going to be a great musician; or if you can put on a band-aid, you must be just as good as a nurse. The tool you use is obviously important. A high quality guitar is clearly going to make a more pleasant sound than a cheap one. But if you don't know all the components of how to play, how to form the composition, you still aren't going to create good music. I like using music analogies to explain photography...there are many parallels between the two. :) {And after spending the last 12 years of my life with a musician, I might as well be able to put what I've learned to some use!} Personally, I still hesitate when even referring to myself as a "photographer" (let alone a "pro", that's not even on the horizon!), and that respect I have for the trade translates into a fairly deep offense when someone is quick to assume that great equipment = quality photographer. A mindset like that shows a complete disregard for all the time and energy spent learning, trying, failing, trying again, learning some more...PRACTICE and KNOWLEDGE that comes with being a quality photographer. {just as in ANY profession!}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK22AX4CRI5atsS2QatQOr8_58mkBxHZtoFEPYjL_WGsBqzsTDUKvupWGlu-3SLFYitwUK_Vs7Bs47AXD2ZMxTgG4qSZhxZlUgwoWzN0r9R84A6R3jzvbhPne54bQ9lZX7lB6JHA/s1600/IMG_3896_edited-3w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK22AX4CRI5atsS2QatQOr8_58mkBxHZtoFEPYjL_WGsBqzsTDUKvupWGlu-3SLFYitwUK_Vs7Bs47AXD2ZMxTgG4qSZhxZlUgwoWzN0r9R84A6R3jzvbhPne54bQ9lZX7lB6JHA/s320/IMG_3896_edited-3w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>NOTE: It actually took me the better part of a week to get this post done, so crazy has my life been with end of school activities, the fourth birthday of my littlest man, and deciding to foster a dog while we see if she's a good fit for our family. All of which have given me fodder for several more blog posts!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-74908184406922586212012-05-08T14:16:00.001-04:002012-05-09T21:31:05.400-04:00"Hey Girl" Photo Challenge entry for I Heart Faces.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4G4-FzRBRPNLMOrqyNka9NNaEK0vd927g4L4Jmw1Rvq8R22kk_9YG6bShyphenhyphenerrr4xLIMfmdm_nVrppHQIJY_dm4tH-pv6K38pOOHG6fdhPFabyctUlFAq3IL0gRlZgT7puA6ZEA/s1600/IMG_2584_edited-2w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4G4-FzRBRPNLMOrqyNka9NNaEK0vd927g4L4Jmw1Rvq8R22kk_9YG6bShyphenhyphenerrr4xLIMfmdm_nVrppHQIJY_dm4tH-pv6K38pOOHG6fdhPFabyctUlFAq3IL0gRlZgT7puA6ZEA/s640/IMG_2584_edited-2w.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been meaning to enter one of the photo challenges over at <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" target="_blank">I Heart Faces</a> for a while now. This month, the theme is "Hey Girl". Pretty simple: a picture with a face in it, and it must be a female face. Well, I just so happened to take a photo this past weekend that fit the bill. I know this is a simple shot, and that had I more time to compose it, there are many things I could change. But this was pre-recital time, everyone was kind of nerved up (including this Momma!), and the calm serenity on her face, the way she naturally posed her arms (no, I didn't tell her to do that!)...well, I don't think I could get a better picture before the deadline anyway. So, head on over to the <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2012/05/photo-challenge-girl/" target="_blank">I Heart Faces Photo Challenge</a> and look for this pretty face, and wish me luck!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo Challenge Submission" src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg" title="I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" rel="follow http://www.iheartfaces.com/" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">www.iheartfaces.com</a></em>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-45648201906309105222012-04-25T11:05:00.000-04:002012-04-25T11:05:02.351-04:00An Unlikely Friendship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We all know that as our life changes, our circumstances, our location, the time of our life, our circle of friends often change with it. Sometimes, if you are fortunate, you can keep in touch with these "old" friends (Facebook has been an amazing tool for this in MY life!), but the closest relationships are usually those that you can engage in most regularly. As a person who forms deep relationships slowly, only having a few close friends at any given time, those that persist through time and situation are precious. And the ones that instantly fall back into the comfortable and familiar rhythm of deep friendship, not matter how long you've been apart, how long it's been since you've talked...well, those are the gems of life, aren't they? I have been blessed with several of these, actually, which is nothing short of amazing to me. The most unlikely one of all, though, is with my friend Tomoko.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I met Tomoko in my fourth year of college at Central Michigan University. I was in my second year as an RA, and though my roommate and I had lived together the previous year, we had a vacancy in our suite. Enter: a young Buddhist Japanese student, here in the U.S. for a year as part of her English teaching degree, who had purposefully requested NOT to be placed in the dorm where the foreign language students usually lived, i.e. away from any other Japanese student who she might feel more comfortable with. No, she wanted to learn English better, and she wanted the full experience of living in America. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I heard <i>about</i> Tomoko before I saw her. One of the other RAs had been in the lobby when she arrived. She was tired, a little overwhelmed, and her normally decent English wasn't doing so well. "Um, I saw your new roommate...she doesn't speak English very well...good luck!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Great</i>, I'm thinking, <i>this should be a really INTERESTING school year.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You know, for someone who has the hardest time understanding <i>anyone </i>with a heavy accent, I never had a hard time understanding Tomoko. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As the school year progressed, Tomoko and I took to one another. We just clicked. The difference in background didn't matter, difference of religion didn't matter, difference in world views didn't matter. I adored her. <i>Despite the fact that she kept trying to get me to eat dried kelp as a snack~ ICK.</i> She came home with me for every major break and holiday we had: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Spring Break....they were all spent with my family, who also took to her immediately. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I remember distinctly the first time my mom met her. Mom kept speaking <i>loudly</i> to her, and as I realized what my (very sheltered, small-town) mom was doing, I said, "Mom, she's Japanese, not deaf. Speak slowly, not <i>loudly.</i>"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MYpsVgrTkn4DEwT8aismgXNliVArwHqkTbsAIuloq55udOISB_0WgtdbbqM7vN3q2YDwlpK3fXYl0_uHKUffI-e1ib1bVO2d9PClkLH3dO7Dmmz-v4uB44N4LZuG4ihMiAjPCw/s1600/image0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MYpsVgrTkn4DEwT8aismgXNliVArwHqkTbsAIuloq55udOISB_0WgtdbbqM7vN3q2YDwlpK3fXYl0_uHKUffI-e1ib1bVO2d9PClkLH3dO7Dmmz-v4uB44N4LZuG4ihMiAjPCw/s320/image0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomoko and my Mom at a wedding; the year we were at CMU.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the school year was over, it was very hard saying goodbye. Email was just getting started, and phone calls were expensive. We knew it would be difficult to stay in touch. There were many tears.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From 2001-2003, Tomoko had to chance to be a grad student at a small college in Tennessee, a Buddhist girl in the heart of the bible belt. We drove down to see her that first spring break. However, being in the bible belt during and after 9/11 isn't kind to a Buddhist girl. America lost a lot of it's glamour during that time for her. We saw her again the summer she went home, she came to Michigan for a while and flew out of Detroit. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After that, we lost touch for quite a while. We'd get the odd postcard here and there, but not much. I really hadn't heard from her at all for a couple years when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Tomoko and her brother Hiro adored my mom. (Hiro had visited at least twice in the past.) Hiro loved my mom so much that when he opened his vintage American clothing store in Japan, he named it Sandy Hunt (seriously). I sent word by every email address I had of hers, hoping she'd get the message. We reconnected on Skype, and they were able to talk to my family again. Unfortunately, neither could make it in time. They both made decisions to come the next summer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the Tsunami hit Japan, my family followed it more closely than most, terrified that it had hit the region Tomoko lived in. Thankfully, it hadn't effected it much at all, but it took her a week or so to get back to me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then, last summer, Tomoko visited in August! Eight years it had been! She spent ten whole days with us. She got to get to know my husband better and meet my kids, hang out with my dad and siblings again. It was fantastic. It was as if we'd never been apart. We lead totally different lives, but couldn't stop talking with one another! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivtWD6TPQCE64UoD7H_l5d3C8KwdlmCJlijegPKKVxQBBy3kfFB7ly-XGJf0wD0t53X3KAO17XCMc9OxnixB6p2KUqxuLqWIBn2gcBJQBHP50V4yh6rtsRlRd8mKWKD-8me70LQ/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivtWD6TPQCE64UoD7H_l5d3C8KwdlmCJlijegPKKVxQBBy3kfFB7ly-XGJf0wD0t53X3KAO17XCMc9OxnixB6p2KUqxuLqWIBn2gcBJQBHP50V4yh6rtsRlRd8mKWKD-8me70LQ/s320/IMG_0522.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played Monopoly deal the ENTIRE time she was here! She bought a pack before going home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One night while she was here, we stayed out in our pop-up overnight. She'd never stayed in a camper before, so she thought it was pretty cool. We stayed up talking until the wee hours of morning. She told me about two different guys she was seeing on and off, nothing serious, though. She told me that after seeing my family and spending time with us, it made her want to start a family of her own. I thought maybe she'd re-evaluate her on-again-off-again relationships and maybe change her perspective on one of them. <br />
<br />
So, she went back to her life, I went back to mine. We Skyped a few times in the fall...and then she fell off the map again in November. Not surprising, she always gets sucked into her job when school is in session. I was a touch worried, but not overly so. So then, last week, I get a package in the mail from her. Inside was the usual, my favorites from Japan: curry mixes and raisin cookies (not together!). On top was a short note saying how busy she was with work (not surprising) and that a lot had been happening in her life and that she hoped I'd be thrilled, no one else in the US knew yet......and that was all the note said! AHHH! What?<br />
<br />
I dug through the box, and at the bottom, carefully hidden (stinker!), was a small photo book. It contained several pictures from her visit, pictures of my family, some pictures of her brother and niece, all captioned and including her cute little Japanese-style emoticons. And the last two pictures.....of her....and her HUSBAND! She apparently met someone AFTER she came home, and got married before her birthday, which is Christmas Eve. And yes, I have a thousand questions and STILL haven't been able to get a hold of her!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYDAjkbx6P1KiiYFHfrjUx-vYC6KtQ-eCxZWWrdMcuUqXdqZDaY4ikma2_j4YAes8gTuXKS76zeRX98D0SwO-1YCwS3dgu9I_q-_iLuGPAxHPvtAQlrUPkBp4-KtekSG2PLxDYg/s1600/TomokoandSatoru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYDAjkbx6P1KiiYFHfrjUx-vYC6KtQ-eCxZWWrdMcuUqXdqZDaY4ikma2_j4YAes8gTuXKS76zeRX98D0SwO-1YCwS3dgu9I_q-_iLuGPAxHPvtAQlrUPkBp4-KtekSG2PLxDYg/s320/TomokoandSatoru.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomoko and Satoru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, here is my dear friend and her new husband, who I will get to meet in several years in Hawaii, where we all plan to get together again. However, if I don't hear from her soon, I may have to fly over to Japan to get some questions answered!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have learned so much from this woman. She is a wonderful example of how to be kind and selfless, to respect others, to hold your tongue, to be a hard worker, to honor your parents, to love your family. In fact, she probably embodies all of these things better than most people I know. I hope all the best for her. </div>
<br />
<br /></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-9056518882890237732012-03-29T21:54:00.005-04:002012-03-29T21:54:36.318-04:00ah....with the patient help of two wonderful people, I was able to FINALLY figure out how to lose the old orange background! YEAH. I'll be toying with the banner a bit more, but I like this color arrangement much better! And now my brain can stop fretting about it. ;)Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-5258020682410191872012-03-29T00:24:00.000-04:002012-03-29T00:24:01.654-04:00Under RenovationIn case you can see that my blog does not coordinate, it is because I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to get rid of the orange background pattern. If you cannot see said orange background, please let me know. But I have been trying to solve this problem for two hours now, and my neck is stiff, my eyes are tired, and it's 12:23 am. I must sleep. I will go after it again tomorrow. Good night!<br />
<br />
p.s. if YOU have any idea how to get rid of the orange background, by all means, LET ME KNOW! ;)Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-13370714925942526902012-03-23T13:59:00.002-04:002012-03-23T14:01:55.880-04:00How Embarrassing....A couple weeks ago, I started a post, and came back to it a couple times, but hadn't meant to actually post it yet, because well <b><i>it wasn't finished</i>. <i>And there were still mistakes and typos in it. And I was going to come back and polish it up...</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<i>oops.</i><br />
<br />
This is what I posted:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last few days I've been feeling a little down. There are many contributing factors, and I think I've identified the reasons, but that's not really my reason for writing. Usually, I'd mope. Frankly, I feel like I've been doing that a lot lately. I"m tired of it. So, instead of moping because things are not as I wanted them (every do that?), I've decided to follow my own motto, "If you can't change something, change the way you think about it." All this morning I've been brainstorming ideas of how to redirect my thinking. Things I can do <i>RIGHT NOW, TODAY.</i></span><br />
<div>
<i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) <i>Read my Bible</i>. The living word of God, not static. Like fresh fruits and vegetables, with living enzymes, keep your physical help up, so the Word is spiritually. <i>I need to quit forgetting about that.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) <i>Accomplish a goal</i>. This ALWAYS boosts my spirit. My goal today~get the kitchen monster in hand. I don't know about anyone else, but our kitchen area is constant battle, and unless we are constantly vigilant, it wins. ;) Today I will fight the beast, and win.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Be <i>creative, </i>as in <i>create something</i>. I have several ideas. Might be food, might be thought. Haven't decided yet.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4)<i> Exercise</i>. I thought about going to the Y, but here is a home program I found on Pinterest I think I'll try today. It will save time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, funny thing, just composing this list has helped.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Well, you know,<i> </i>just writing down the plan <i>did help, that is true. </i>But I wasn't really prepared for what a <i>huge difference</i> doing all these things in one day makes on my perspective. And on the days since I wrote this, I've really paid attention to my mood and attitude if I don't accomplish one (or any) of these things. I feel really crummy inside.<br />
<br />
It hasn't helped that I was very ill last weekend and in bed for a good two-three days, or that the antibiotic completely messed up my sleep, or that I've been feeling particularly anxious at night, because I discovered that I'm really associating this beautiful spring weather with the last couple years when the beautiful spring weather has hit and something really awful happened to us (2010: I severely broke my foot and then my mom passed away within two days of each other; 2011: we were robbed in the middle of the night while we were asleep upstairs and the cops accused us and did nothing, also when my first SLR got stolen).<br />
<br />
Sooooooo....I'm off to improve my attitude, and Tylenol PM has been helping with my night anxiety.<br />
<br />
And something else that makes me happy: I FINALLY was able to order a replacement power cord for my external hard-drive, so I'll be able to upload and edit pictures again soon! Yeah!Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-52881529273425753882012-03-07T11:23:00.001-05:002012-03-07T11:23:34.323-05:00Homemade solution for the blues....The last few days I've been feeling a little down. There are many contributing factors, and I think I've identified the reasons, but that's not really my reason for writing. Usually, I'd mope. Frankly, I feel like I've been doing that a lot lately. I"m tired of it. So, instead of moping because things are not as I wanted them (every do that?), I've decided to follow my own motto, "If you can't change something, change the way you think about it." All this morning I've been brainstorming ideas of how to redirect my thinking. Things I can do <i>RIGHT NOW, TODAY.</i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
1) <i>Read my Bible</i>. The living word of God, not static. Like fresh fruits and vegetables, with living enzymes, keep your physical help up, so the Word is spiritually. <i>I need to quit forgetting about that.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
2) <i>Accomplish a goal</i>. This ALWAYS boosts my spirit. My goal today~get the kitchen monster in hand. I don't know about anyone else, but our kitchen area is constant battle, and if we are constantly vigilant, it wins. ;) Today I will fight the beast, and win.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3) Be <i>creative, </i>as in <i>create something</i>. I have several ideas. Might be food, might be thought. Haven't decided yet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4)<i> Exercise</i>. I thought about going to the Y, but here is a home program I found on Pinterest I think I'll try today. It will save time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You know, funny thing, just composing this list has helped.</div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-54054401629859382132012-03-04T18:44:00.001-05:002012-03-07T07:12:40.320-05:00Random Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIkKYkQmTLW6YO3Ja4sEGxeXipydKFN3tLnfRb7N1pVr7pGnGxCP7nYit5lHTdHXTS8Qw3mhm5Ba3MoMTXDTZpApoI6igB6GmNfOKgU8BPidppS50u4811e63J4df0wbC6SMbOg/s1600/shot_1330880527920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIkKYkQmTLW6YO3Ja4sEGxeXipydKFN3tLnfRb7N1pVr7pGnGxCP7nYit5lHTdHXTS8Qw3mhm5Ba3MoMTXDTZpApoI6igB6GmNfOKgU8BPidppS50u4811e63J4df0wbC6SMbOg/s320/shot_1330880527920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lately, I have been on a Pinterest kick of the Make-my-own-homemade-stain-removers-and-cleaners-for-the-house kind. Baking soda, Ammonia, Dawn Dish Soap, Vinegar, Peroxide....all wonderfully amazing things that I can keep around the house and mix into different combinations to make various cleaners. My latest "recipe", shown above, is home made "Shout" or "Spray n Wash". I'm ALWAYS running out of stain stick, and with Isaac having a personal vendetta against stain-free clothing, I find I constantly have a pile of "need to treat" stained clothing stacking up. So, I looked up that recipe on Pinterest today and went to it. I am impressed. It worked on stains that have already been through the dryer once! WOOHOO! I also have made a shower cleaner that I'm pretty happy with, especially considering the cost to make it....hm...what else can I make?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nwMMnHlcuNosQ4APa59N6sLt1rhduEmIE7FngjhyX2-zhpJsfuwPLoruFJUhWiNlPBSpcoqsaMr8g-_1yiYIFZMymBsMBkbZBnxs3jl4j2D-rxS4bYbUiGICOgzGy2s43HgKPA/s1600/CP+Profile+Page_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nwMMnHlcuNosQ4APa59N6sLt1rhduEmIE7FngjhyX2-zhpJsfuwPLoruFJUhWiNlPBSpcoqsaMr8g-_1yiYIFZMymBsMBkbZBnxs3jl4j2D-rxS4bYbUiGICOgzGy2s43HgKPA/s320/CP+Profile+Page_edited-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As some of you may know, I'm very much interested in photography. I love the whole process, would love to do this as more than a hobby. In an effort to get my feet wet, and help some people I care about out with some free services, I've been taking pictures of various things lately, children and houses. I am heading up our church's pictorial directory this spring, and will be shooting my first new-born pictures in August. I felt like I should have a name for the photography aspect of my life, and I really wanted a name that 1) was reflective of my mom in some way, and 2) wasn't an overused name. I also wasn't crazy about using my own name, mostly because a lot of people do that too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went through all the flowers I remember my mom loving when I was a kid, but what I kept coming back to was mums. Now, Mum Photography doesn't quite sound right to me, and I know Chrysanthemum Photography is a mouthful. So, I kept trying other name ideas....some got A LOT of hits when I googled them, some just didn't have the ring I wanted. I kept coming back to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chrysanthemum-Photography/227126084037906" target="_blank">Chrysanthemum Photography</a>. Several people said it was too hard to pronounce, but it kept coming back to my mind. So, I've decided that if it's going to stick this hard, I'll just have to hone my skill to the point that the name is memorable enough to learn to pronounce. ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFIYunoGJdRjIIa-BCIFj3O_MymahkWqtfJAHZ3RJGZtmptQYF0HQg2r8tQhsZWFxqan2TlAUV8nJL08DV7Z2Z5HJxlzqJIGYU0eM2C1715DovWeq2A4U35qkdRrzZE4nUjF-3Q/s1600/IMG_1476_edited-3watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFIYunoGJdRjIIa-BCIFj3O_MymahkWqtfJAHZ3RJGZtmptQYF0HQg2r8tQhsZWFxqan2TlAUV8nJL08DV7Z2Z5HJxlzqJIGYU0eM2C1715DovWeq2A4U35qkdRrzZE4nUjF-3Q/s320/IMG_1476_edited-3watermark.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I keep clicking away, and every once in a while, I hit gold, and am really happy with my product. I'm finding that my background in visual arts (Art Education minor) is still alive and well in my mind. I have a pretty good idea of what makes a good composition, but I'm painfully aware of how low my technical skills are. Thankfully, there is a wealth of good, solid information online, and so I'm learning quite a bit at very little cost.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhdRYC8u33VoIqBtxsqQo0Ts6Fq2M4dd5IhUJHpilKRqP9P6MZuGChDo-5ciRPSY3o7DNZ5xODyJxETj4_dQqUo00sxd3e1Yn7EPQ5umhhZyplxmNuWa9PFQz9Lh6HApMNFIHCw/s1600/shot_1330896348493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhdRYC8u33VoIqBtxsqQo0Ts6Fq2M4dd5IhUJHpilKRqP9P6MZuGChDo-5ciRPSY3o7DNZ5xODyJxETj4_dQqUo00sxd3e1Yn7EPQ5umhhZyplxmNuWa9PFQz9Lh6HApMNFIHCw/s320/shot_1330896348493.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like my new camera strap? I WON IT! If you follow me on Facebook, you might have noticed that I've been "liking" all these small businesses like crazy. It's because I've been entering a bunch of giveaways where you have to "like" the vendors involved with the giveaway in order to enter the giveaway. I've won FOUR times, twice from the same one! The latest and (in my opinion) greatest for me though, was this very cool handmade camera strap. If any of you have ever used the stock strap that comes with a lot of DSLR cameras, you'll know that the rubbery-plastic backing on it is not friendly to sensitive skin. My skin can tolerate about 15 minutes. This new strap has a lovely, soft, faux suede and makes my skin much happier!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d7C8py0mM-BVTr9uD7OxO35QmBVev6yYxUbtLGrVnjUvke5-rr5Olrz6V84ykBYvG-VbpNTq8YJJL882YxHDBOciFLpNQwNXY4BBv9cqWIjbqGLfb-EF3PwMuxLkauektH8shA/s1600/IMG_0672_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d7C8py0mM-BVTr9uD7OxO35QmBVev6yYxUbtLGrVnjUvke5-rr5Olrz6V84ykBYvG-VbpNTq8YJJL882YxHDBOciFLpNQwNXY4BBv9cqWIjbqGLfb-EF3PwMuxLkauektH8shA/s320/IMG_0672_edited-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
However, with all the other pictures I've been taking, I've been neglecting my own kids, so I'll need to get on that right away, especially since we gave Terry's grandmother a photo frame at Christmas, and here it is March and I still haven't got enough to send her for it. Eek.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-44525632419671192092012-02-22T08:33:00.000-05:002012-02-22T08:33:46.238-05:00Happy Birthday, Mom<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND12Hv6vNaLAxtGXhhPd_DJaMTk3Ept1g0j7Vbw3EB-6TMSM7u8NYbC_8ktc9DGkFA9xdF8lnN1q2jO_w7PBD545QqXBPad7ADj18n_ZN8TKVx0kQgqT7AI7d2WxqLnmgGrc9FQ/s1600/image0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjND12Hv6vNaLAxtGXhhPd_DJaMTk3Ept1g0j7Vbw3EB-6TMSM7u8NYbC_8ktc9DGkFA9xdF8lnN1q2jO_w7PBD545QqXBPad7ADj18n_ZN8TKVx0kQgqT7AI7d2WxqLnmgGrc9FQ/s320/image0.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>1943-2010</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dear Mom,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today you would have turned 69. I still have a hard time believing this is your second birthday without you here with us. I think I miss you more with each passing day. We are all doing okay, but we all miss you, we all grieve still, I think. Most days it's just sort of a dull ache. Every once in a while something blindsides me, like seeing pictures of your high school class reunion from last September on Facebook and knowing it was the first one you'd missed. I still smell your perfume when we visit Dad, it's still sitting on you dresser.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
People say that anger is often a part of grief, but the only anger I feel is when I see people smoking. This crazy rage fills me and I want to throttle them. I wish you could have stopped long ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope you have a view from heaven, but if you don't, you'd be amazed at how grown-up the kids have gotten. Isaac is doing so well in school, aside from the normal misbehavior, that is! Lydia is older than her years. Terry and I joke that she was born in the wrong order- she should have been first born! She keeps those boys in line at the grocery store, let me tell you. Simon is a pistol, no two ways around it. We keep hoping he'll grow out of it, but there is no denying that boy is hard-headed and stubborn. I guess he comes by it naturally, huh? Grandma would have called him <em>spirited</em>, I suppose. He's just stuck somewhere between baby and boy, and doesn't seem sure which one he wants yet. The older two still talk about you from time to time. They miss you, and I keep an album out with pictures of you in it so that they remember your face.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I keep expecting a stray cat to show up, like the one that showed up the first birthday I had after you passed. Everytime I see a stray cat I want to help it, mostly because I know you'd be happy with me. We have so many pictures of you with cats and kittens we don't remember. It seems like you found a new litter each year.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've asked Dad for all these little odds and ends of yours that I keep around me. Somehow they make me feel close to you. Your manicure set, (I finally quit chewing my nails, Mom!), some nail polish, etc. It seems odd, but it comforts me to see little reminders of you in my day-to-day life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I keep waiting for the saddness to pass, but it hasn't yet. Every once in a while I open that door and let it sweep over me. But I can't stay in that place, so I don't go there very often.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I guess the bottom line is, Mom, that <em>I miss you.</em> I wish you had stayed here just a little while longer. To see the kids grow up a little bit more, to be my mom longer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Birthday, I still love you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Denise</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
</div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-1764194721117802462012-02-09T16:56:00.001-05:002012-02-09T16:56:15.213-05:00My first wedding....as a "photographer"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEXZIqN1KtZB0eeu02CHiCAIgxmXxMbMff_yb5iGH-gxV2agIaxrwMPQEroZ6DKPCF2y_MKLbflauV-pbcK4jYAJM1IlP7_pmWzftCXz-Eh7J_0-k5oDjOY4zPeIfGJ_2hhq2dw/s1600/IMG_0757_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEXZIqN1KtZB0eeu02CHiCAIgxmXxMbMff_yb5iGH-gxV2agIaxrwMPQEroZ6DKPCF2y_MKLbflauV-pbcK4jYAJM1IlP7_pmWzftCXz-Eh7J_0-k5oDjOY4zPeIfGJ_2hhq2dw/s320/IMG_0757_edited-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two weeks ago, a young couple we know got married. I've known the groom since he was about 8 years old. He's one of my nephew's best friends and my (sweet) nephew was his best man. The happy couple did their wedding on a tight budget, and a professional photographer just wasn't in the cards for them. I offered my <i>very</i> new services, telling them I'd do my best by I didn't have a descent flash. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To say the least, it was a great learning experience. I learned <i>so much.</i> Such as, I need to write down specific shots I want to take because when I'm there <i><b>I will forget them all</b></i>. To make <i>sure</i> my settings are correct and to zoom in on my screen to check for blur, because after I get home is <i>much too late to realize the shots weren't in focus</i>. And that shooting in a very high ISO, which my camera appears to do well with, is a great alternative to an external flash in dim surroundings. I also learned not to count on someone when they say they know a lot about photography unless I know them personally.<br />
<br />
I also got a taste of the pressure of a wedding photographer. If you miss an important shot, <i>you don't get a second chance. </i>There is no, "oh, can we do that again?" at a wedding. You snooze, you lose. <br />
<br />
And the editing....I took over 300 pictures, and while some of them are just not worth keeping (see my comment about checking the blur), there are many that are salvageable. I like the one above a lot. The focus is an issue, but I'm reminded that I do have visual art training (art minor) and that my eye for composition is pretty strong. <br />
<br />
My technical skills with my camera......let's just say there is <i>plenty</i> of room to grow. <br />
<br />
However, I've been approached by a friend of mine, who likes what I've posted on Facebook, about senior pictures. <i>Hmmmm......</i>.<br />
<br />
The idea thrills me, to be honest. I still feel like a pretender, to be sure, and for someone to like my work so much that they would trust me with senior photos is still surprising to me. ;) And another friend asked me about pregnancy photos, and infant photos...I get giddy with excitement over the chance...heehee.<br />
<br />
So I keep thinking about starting a small photography business...and of course what it would be <i>called</i>, because I love naming things. And then my mind wanders to all things photography.....<br />
<br />
.......<br />
<br />
Sorry, started daydreaming...heehee. <br />
<br /></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-59627417873293971512012-01-26T07:13:00.000-05:002012-01-26T07:15:21.322-05:00Bitten by the bug....Yesterday I handed over the CD of the photos-my first <em>ever</em> photography client now has her product. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8WAchw4wSXclvBiv9B3ZcGplslf0r0spUjKCB-bM_bTomedRjG-LzSkYQVcTJ5uCN7lmIXWo_fp9LiZfXPvyhQNNad-6uuSZ8gCZVTKgCgM8VQnzbWOGjH-TeklVNhgRPxBt3Q/s1600/DROU+33.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8WAchw4wSXclvBiv9B3ZcGplslf0r0spUjKCB-bM_bTomedRjG-LzSkYQVcTJ5uCN7lmIXWo_fp9LiZfXPvyhQNNad-6uuSZ8gCZVTKgCgM8VQnzbWOGjH-TeklVNhgRPxBt3Q/s320/DROU+33.jpg" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Never in my life have I felt such a combination of excitement and anxiety and passion, all at the same time. (Even when I was teaching, and I <em>loved</em> teaching.) This medium, digital photography, seems to be the marriage of everything I'm drawn to: people, imagery, composition, digital editing. The way I can create within this form of art feels like the perfect fit. <em>I'm in love</em>.<br />
<br />
I was a bundle of nerves when I showed up at my friend's house. She had paid for professional photography before, but knew that I was interested in photography and so invited me over to take pictures. She knew I wasn't experienced, but gave me a shot. I warned her straight-away that I was <em>green. (What if I failed miserably? What if she hated what I produced? What if I just plain embarrassed myself?)<br /></em>Still trying to keep <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aperture</span> and ISO settings straight in my head, <em>glad I had kept my notes and cheat sheets handy in my nerdy notebook</em>, I took some practice shots to make sure the exposure was good. Thankfully, we had really great light that day. Still, I was <em>nervous</em>. I felt like a poser, just <em>pretending </em>to be <em>real</em> photographer. (I still do!).<br />
<br />
I was unprepared for how much time I would put into the post-editing process. Don't get me wrong, <em>I loved every minute of it</em>, but making sure each image is the best I can make it takes <em>time.</em> Lamenting focus I hadn't nailed, celebrating when I did, and creating improved <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">compositions out</span> of average shots, I wanted to be at the computer every minute. However, children still like to eat, and dogs need to be let out, and kids are expected to be picked up from school. So instead, I'd work an hour or two at a time, here and there, often having to tear myself away from the computer at night because my eyes were too tired to be of any use to me. Even then, I regretted having to walk away. <br />
<br />
<em>And all the while, I'm thinking to myself, <strong>I don't ever want to stop doing this.</strong></em> All I want to do is improve, and to be able to give people images that they will cherish always....<em>and maybe some more equipment for myself. ;)<br /></em>I've been asked by a young bride to be to try to take some good shots at their wedding this weekend. They are on a shoe-string budget and a professional photographer didn't make the cut. I'm wishing I had a decent external flash, but praying I can still get some good images for them. Just a few they could frame and cherish.<br />
<br />
By professional standards, the image I'm sharing here isn't my best shot-the focus is softer than I'd like, the background may be a little too busy. What I do like is the lighting, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">composition</span>, the color...but mostly the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">expression</span> on his face. <em>Love it.</em><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: RIGHT;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-17562291756705692972012-01-10T18:12:00.000-05:002012-01-10T20:13:53.379-05:00Giant photography project on a shoe-string budget, and did I mention my lack of experience?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W7lr9OG9n0W3-UXoXAtFZmAug2sFQxfmkWaQg4XpIrzvpMJIg_hBjkDEGurLZ3_OqgRdvlxONX853W1xw5k_QT-NB_DpcbmGHWpsyapsXV-tebCnh7TeWY31iueW3GvEchLbLg/s1600/2012-01-09_09-39-56_814.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W7lr9OG9n0W3-UXoXAtFZmAug2sFQxfmkWaQg4XpIrzvpMJIg_hBjkDEGurLZ3_OqgRdvlxONX853W1xw5k_QT-NB_DpcbmGHWpsyapsXV-tebCnh7TeWY31iueW3GvEchLbLg/s320/2012-01-09_09-39-56_814.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
In late November/early December, one of the pastors at our church approached me about heading up a new pictorial directory for our church. I had previously taken pictures for another event in October of 2010, and so he had seen my "work". For some reason, some nice photos of kids in costumes convinced him that I was the person to head up an entire pictorial directory for our church. To say the least, I think the man has a completely unrealistic view of my so-called skills, but I'd still like to do this for our church and save them some money in the long run. And so I <i>tentatively</i> agreed because my husband and I had "planned) (at that time) to replace the camera with our tax return, and so a pictorial directory in May would be fine. I mean, May was <i>so far away</i>. What I was thinking, <i>I know not what</i>. <br />
<br />
And now here we are in mid-January, and it's dawning on me what I've gotten myself into. And May doesn't seem quite as far off as I'd thought. And there are thousands of things that "pro" photographers have that I cannot afford. And oodles of knowledge that they have that I do not. And what about backdrops, I don't have any. I'll need to create some sort of template for the pages, I'm not sure how, but I need to. Of course, people will want copies of the family pictures (assuming I can produce something of quality!). Clearly I must finally delve into the mystery of shooting in <a href="http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39811/what-is-camera-raw-and-why-would-a-professional-prefer-it-to-jpg/">RAW</a>. And a flash, no external flash here.....you see where my mind has been going and why every time I think about this project I get a knot in my gut.<br />
<br />
So, I decide to start pecking away at my list of short-comings one at a time, in hopes I'll have something respectable put together by May. I fire up my Photoshop Elements 6, and realize that it will not read my RAW files, and there is no plug-in available to match my new camera and PSE 6. The latest PSE edition? A mere $75 (with the educational discount). Did I mention we are not rolling in it? So, I'm hoping to be able to get that by mid-February, which would exactly be when my 30-trial with PSE 10 runs out. ;) That would at least take care of the post-processing of the photos and the template issues.<br />
<br />
Also, I've been trying to figure out what to do about my lack of an external flash...but I'm not sure yet. I did find a way to make a cheap bounce card for my internal flash (see above), created out of a smartly cut business card (thank you Pinterest!). I don't think my external flash will make a difference with the portraits, though. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.digital-photography-school.com/">Digital Photography School</a> has been an excellent resource for DIY equipment, as well as <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> (although that site is like crack-cocaine! Consider yourself WARNED!). So I now know how to make a backdrop support out of PVC, what equipment I need if I ever decide to photograph infants, what to make a homemade drop cloth out of, how to make a DIY light box....and about ten million other random bits of information that has nothing to do with photography but lots to do with home decorating, Harry Potter fandom, and recipes that I can't make if I want to lose weight, anyway.....did I already warn you about Pinterest?<br />
<br />
However, intermixed with all my nerves and Pinterest addiction, I have been praying a lot. Because at the bottom of this project, what pushes me through the wall of fear that the knot of nerves creates, is my sincere desire to give something our church body that possibly only I (and one other lady who will be taking photos also) can provide. And if this is what He wants me to do, and I'm believing more and more that it is, then I'm counting on him to provide a lot of the bells and whistles that I just don't have deep enough pockets for.<br />
<br />
And He is providing me with resources. First and foremost, I have some very dear personal and internet friends who are both believers and fantastic photographers. They are a great source of information, and sometimes, physical resources as well! I had been starting to look into ways to create a DIY backdrop, but a good friend told me I can borrow the two new backdrops her business will be buying (thanks <a href="http://miraculouschaos.blogspot.com/">Wendi</a>!) when I take the photos for the directory.<br />
<br />
The lighting issue still concerns me. Lighting is key. I'm going to be looking into ways to build my own light sources. I don't need them to look pretty, just be effective. And, I need to figure out how to get the pictures into the template I have built! Bah! PSE won the battle last night. But I have time, and prayer. And more prayer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: LEFT;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-87270513029193871052012-01-09T20:53:00.000-05:002012-01-09T20:53:25.042-05:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMaIWFfGTLmKIgL4pxmg4y7gpD4hZWJfsgxgOUS4BFtoe_fTgqK8d88BDB9S5qTPDW9XX1PKpdiYiP943kR4AVf1TU9hngWkLRu9tJf0FrbqVs51pVvD7q7hKLsWbNTIKESbFOQ/s1600/414519_10151094178615096_737465095_22696995_1623903826_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMaIWFfGTLmKIgL4pxmg4y7gpD4hZWJfsgxgOUS4BFtoe_fTgqK8d88BDB9S5qTPDW9XX1PKpdiYiP943kR4AVf1TU9hngWkLRu9tJf0FrbqVs51pVvD7q7hKLsWbNTIKESbFOQ/s320/414519_10151094178615096_737465095_22696995_1623903826_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Let me preface this story by saying that we are not wealthy. We are a family of five on a teacher's salary in Michigan. We have what we need, but we're not rolling in it. There isn't a lot of room for extras, hence, when we were robbed last May, and my Canon Rebel Xti and Canon flash and Lowepro case were all part of the collateral damage, and our deductible being a good chunk of change, the Rebel did not get replaced. And while I know that a fancy-schmancey camera is not a necessity by any stretch of the imagination, it has been my one form of creative expression since being a stay at home mom, and I'd only had it about two years.<br />
<br />
To say I missed my former camera is an understatement. I stopped reading about photography, I stopped looking at photography resources because every time I did any of those things, I got punched in the heart with sorrow and grief and anger. I didn't feel that it was good for me to keep experiencing this, since I didn't really know when we'd be able to replace it, so I stopped altogether. I explained it to my choir-director husband this way: it was as if he was told that the only way he could create music for the rest of his life was with a recorder (you know, those horrible precursors to clarinets that they use in elementary school to teach music?). My point and shoot just wasn't what it needed to be for what I wanted to do.<br />
<br />
That all being said, one can imagine my joy at Christmas to open not only a new Canon T2i (a better model!) and kit lens, but also a 18-250mm lens and a nice camera case as well. (Sam's Club had a killer deal going!) And my husband had worked it out with himself, my dad and in-laws as a big joint gift, and planned it out so that I only got the camera and kit lens first (we have THREE Christmas stops for our family!), and then had to wait a couple days before I realized he had actually bought me the package deal. He wanted to get the full amount of pleasure from surprising me...evil man. ;)<br />
<br />
While I am a very passionate person, I detest crying in front of people. However, just writing about this amazing Christmas gift makes me tear up. You'll just have to take my word for it, because there will be no demonstration!<br />
<br />
And so, since we have returned home from holiday travels, I have immersed myself in all things photographically related. Mostly because I have some catching up to do, but also because of a huge project I have taken on for this spring (more on that later). Don't worry, the kids are still getting fed regularly....most days. ;)<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-72636489113150937482011-10-11T19:24:00.000-04:002011-10-11T19:27:47.148-04:00Fall Fun<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
After school today, we took the kids to a park near their school to play on the train-made-playground-equipment. It was a big hit and really made me miss my SLR <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">camera</span> even more than I already do. My new point and shoot is a decent little camera, but I miss the depth of color the most, along with the crystal clear shots. At any rate, I really liked the train as a back drop, and thought it would make a great location for a senior picture shoot. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2SSPYJeLql6QZVU64lwRL-zWGpjBp6C8Y6LntvZJR6wqEoEQNKDRLeWOVhZp2x7KhyphenhyphenIzP0dtIRu_rGRVuPthJrRDyKGencfOwZftgrNQzihp9gpcXVs1QBbS1Oi3FeDjif-v0w/s1600/IMG_0916.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2SSPYJeLql6QZVU64lwRL-zWGpjBp6C8Y6LntvZJR6wqEoEQNKDRLeWOVhZp2x7KhyphenhyphenIzP0dtIRu_rGRVuPthJrRDyKGencfOwZftgrNQzihp9gpcXVs1QBbS1Oi3FeDjif-v0w/s320/IMG_0916.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Adding to the lovely fall day, all three the kids played happily together exploring the engine (Simon with some supervised help from Daddy!) There were some big drops, but it was really cool to watch them explore. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUI_gXpwxw2D0qesgNQePHhXTyKijFsVh4bPEOpkDECzIo7oRX5BYHl_utxuRMAiq-GKi4Sv_Ub2O3uBKazBMLoqIvv4KzDLeaMFWsEPHqaR2bMTEA481L9Jbn8OuRKhauxjA3w/s1600/IMG_0910-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUI_gXpwxw2D0qesgNQePHhXTyKijFsVh4bPEOpkDECzIo7oRX5BYHl_utxuRMAiq-GKi4Sv_Ub2O3uBKazBMLoqIvv4KzDLeaMFWsEPHqaR2bMTEA481L9Jbn8OuRKhauxjA3w/s320/IMG_0910-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Lydia, being the social butterfly she is, found two teenagers and started talking with them....leading to a later discussion about not talking to people she doesn't know, because not everyone is nice. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVQm6l_V3qYk8ayylBISnlNBR3bPhMXVMWAY6tOmD_NJz9zjHRhGmUz9CK6GF-YQOurI5mtEPpLyo_s6U3wUnTgDPp6PGIwr1A_L-kiKYSZ_HvQ4uhDuclmRrcktTyRChUHRlpQ/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVQm6l_V3qYk8ayylBISnlNBR3bPhMXVMWAY6tOmD_NJz9zjHRhGmUz9CK6GF-YQOurI5mtEPpLyo_s6U3wUnTgDPp6PGIwr1A_L-kiKYSZ_HvQ4uhDuclmRrcktTyRChUHRlpQ/s320/IMG_0912.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Isaac was most in his element, with all the places he could climb high and possibly destroy himself. He did fine though, and is pretty sure-footed. He definitely enjoyed having a new and exciting place to explore.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixRXVOa3ZGaD4B-WgSm25kFLCZ0DBhC-ZKHdmnXpQp8AHAPZKZiN9BLsF88eSDFCEDA1p2wDA4Au8NQj67PUCeBCkwbC4SgmGoa1fKXg_fFolrY1CZ4MVUi8jPHbyIub6Tu3ViQ/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixRXVOa3ZGaD4B-WgSm25kFLCZ0DBhC-ZKHdmnXpQp8AHAPZKZiN9BLsF88eSDFCEDA1p2wDA4Au8NQj67PUCeBCkwbC4SgmGoa1fKXg_fFolrY1CZ4MVUi8jPHbyIub6Tu3ViQ/s320/IMG_0911.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
Simon was, by far, the biggest risk in taking them there. There were 6-8 ft drops off the side, and lots of ladders to climb. Luckily, he inherited the sense-of-danger gene that skipped Isaac, so we didn't need to worry about him being reckless! He very much enjoyed exploring <em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">underneath</span></em> the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">locomotive</span>.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tgf-fYXVcQU5fr35tCMv4Olor3n846uBfnLb5_qpAQiPFid5RAVk68wTqNFL1q6UjMFeFsODsXoXe4RJAdHrL6Eiz391px8HkUQ3x-W-LzEH4uJ1k1oTijPj7Yirr-8KdikT0Q/s1600/IMG_0914.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tgf-fYXVcQU5fr35tCMv4Olor3n846uBfnLb5_qpAQiPFid5RAVk68wTqNFL1q6UjMFeFsODsXoXe4RJAdHrL6Eiz391px8HkUQ3x-W-LzEH4uJ1k1oTijPj7Yirr-8KdikT0Q/s320/IMG_0914.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And, as the icing on the cake, I got a nice fall shot of the three of them, they all looked at the camera and their smiles were acceptable! I just wish we had more fall color around here this year...poor trees don't know if summer is coming or going! From the look of the trees in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">the</span> background, you wouldn't know it's October!</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-39310775073745814332011-10-04T21:06:00.000-04:002011-10-04T21:07:08.368-04:00Just Because<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyQTNHQi8H15v7P2-I3RzgBILCQo7jtui1I2muhzW7hfHUJI0AHjRwbWnAJ51w9jB0en04fz_yAUpDc5bVhfod7xZatOCt2MepseZJzholfXUYiK9jUZDs-JYWNL-FJlbOiKUnw/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyQTNHQi8H15v7P2-I3RzgBILCQo7jtui1I2muhzW7hfHUJI0AHjRwbWnAJ51w9jB0en04fz_yAUpDc5bVhfod7xZatOCt2MepseZJzholfXUYiK9jUZDs-JYWNL-FJlbOiKUnw/s320/IMG_0777.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Today I was struck with the thought that time is a passing me by, and it won't be long before these wonderful little people are all grown up.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-22408346740744669532011-10-03T20:36:00.000-04:002011-10-04T19:54:52.342-04:00God's BESTI'm not sure about anyone else, but my brain tends to be a bit like a rottweiler at times. It clamps down on something, and it doesn't let go until it's good and ready. Recently, the topic locked into my mind is this: <i>in trying to make a fresh start and a new beginning, is it wise to begin with a choice that poses an immediate hurdle to overcome?</i> Especially, a hurdle that doesn't necessarily need to be there when there are other obstacles and issues that really <i>must</i> be dealt with in order to proceed in the way needed. It is a hurdle that has huge potential to be a spiritual stumbling block for many people.<br />
<br />
I know, I know, I'm speaking in code. There is a reason. The issue at hand is sensitive, and deals with a great number of people whom I don't want to hurt or offend in talking openly about this. However, one of the reasons I haven't been good about writing is that I always want to write about things that impact other people. So, this is my happy medium.<br />
<br />
I think it is a natural tendency of humans to seek out what is <i>known </i>and what is <i>comfortable</i> when we are feeling down and out. I get that. We tend to get nostalgic, thinking back to good times. We want to go back there and feel that assurance. We may even gloss over real concerns and problems from a past situation, only remembering the good.<br />
<br />
When trying to move beyond past hurts and disappointments, is it the best for us to <i>go back</i>? In some ways, yes, it's necessary to revisit past wounds, to reconcile differences, to forgive and move on. It's <i>absolutely essential</i> to do that if you want to proceed in a healthy way. However, in the process of doing these things, is it obligatory to then put yourself in a similar situation to what caused the original wound? Is that really required in order to forgive? Is that what is good for us? Is that <i>God's BEST </i>for us? <br />
<br />
Personally, I'm praying for God's BEST for us, not what is good enough, or comfortable, or familiar, or what gives us a warm-fuzzy feeling. I deeply believe that adding a needless hurdle to the healing process isn't wise. I also feel that not giving people an invitation to speak openly, and without judgement, is begging for trouble later on. Sitting back and waiting for someone to come to you will only yield a partial truth at best, especially, when many of those people who are still hurting are also fearful of speaking out.<br />
<br />
If we want God's BEST for us, if we want healing, if we want to be able to move forward in health, then we MUST consider the consequences of alienating people who are already wounded. We cannot push through ideas just because they are what <i>we</i> would like the most. Dale Carnegie is quoted as saying, "Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still."<br />
<br />
Reconciliation, forgiveness, grace-all good and necessary things. However, if we have never dealt with root issues, if we have no vision of the direction we want to go, or a purpose for doing it, setting ourselves back into a past situation in the name of forgiveness will not solve problems. It will, on the other hand, set the stage for going in the exact same direction we went formerly.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, the healthiest thing to do is to realize that we we need help. At times, it is a good and healthy thing to seek an outside, <i>neutral, </i>objective viewpoint and direction to find God's BEST. Something that's been broken for so long does not spontaneously fix itself.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><i>Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get <b><u>the prize</u></b>...</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px;">Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (emphasis mine)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;"><i>1 Corinthians 9:24,26</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-25659851927240481312011-09-26T11:18:00.001-04:002011-09-26T11:25:14.723-04:00Sick DaySaturday we noticed Isaac's eye looking a little pinkish and...yucky. I hoped it was allergies or something other than the dreaded pink eye, since he said it hurt, but didn't itch. It kept getting worse, but as it was a weekend, there wasn't much we could do. By last night, I knew what we had on our hands because Simon was also showing symptoms. This morning, Lydia still appeared untouched by the contagion, but when asked, she said her eye felt weird.....greeeaaattt. <br />
<br />
I suppose if I'm going to be trapped in the house with three "sick" kids, pink eye is the way to go. They aren't vomiting, nauseated, feverish, achy, whiney, ornery etc. (Okay, Simon is a little ornery, but that seems to be his norm.) They have normal appetites and the only thing I need to worry about is not touching my <i>own</i> eyes, and washing my hands <i>a lot.</i><br />
<br />
Well, there is one more thing. Tomorrow is picture day, and Isaac looks like he went on an all-night bender and hasn't slept for three days. I'm pretty sure one day on eye drops isn't going to be enough time to undo this in time for pictures, maybe the right one, which only started looking pink today, but the left has been a couple days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrov8DaH63rlBUOFro_3fCWezYKWritwqUbejUz6H-jS4zocg-1d9y8XQasOf135VmSQxkePvhIKHo-baNZqgO4d5709gcv-TQkzUJ64rm9FZ8PlO2kqezeJIGum7WqoksTvNyA/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrov8DaH63rlBUOFro_3fCWezYKWritwqUbejUz6H-jS4zocg-1d9y8XQasOf135VmSQxkePvhIKHo-baNZqgO4d5709gcv-TQkzUJ64rm9FZ8PlO2kqezeJIGum7WqoksTvNyA/s320/IMG_0850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lydia's not showing signs yet, but she's been saying her right eye feels "bumpy" and now "itchy". I called in for a script for her too. I'm just getting out ahead of the inevitable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjpU9NdPlRlK1tJP2OQNmp28aWYB4zLsVlqcYYo-13wWIVpwX_Tjx8Bd2RK0KZkP9sjNbq11h0dVTzXEpwqswq6M5UntZHXoEJaMpUvfpEYSanwlCyBAc8_LL6yWLQA4mmcw8Yg/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjpU9NdPlRlK1tJP2OQNmp28aWYB4zLsVlqcYYo-13wWIVpwX_Tjx8Bd2RK0KZkP9sjNbq11h0dVTzXEpwqswq6M5UntZHXoEJaMpUvfpEYSanwlCyBAc8_LL6yWLQA4mmcw8Yg/s320/IMG_0861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For Simon it's mostly his left eye, but the way he's got his hands all over his face, I'm thinking the right isn't far behind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInc5SN508JKuKEMJJgKjmmamCoV4MMienwzbpN9-GsrQIvFSaO0soFE_3WgsxKk936zg9FuWPNcImNd0wjNNEgrNYw7jah6qmbxHeTciHnODRhHB1z5Qu5ychgPuLkBDgJnid1A/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInc5SN508JKuKEMJJgKjmmamCoV4MMienwzbpN9-GsrQIvFSaO0soFE_3WgsxKk936zg9FuWPNcImNd0wjNNEgrNYw7jah6qmbxHeTciHnODRhHB1z5Qu5ychgPuLkBDgJnid1A/s320/IMG_0860.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-31277720096865406972011-09-21T16:30:00.000-04:002011-09-21T16:31:10.205-04:00Sparkley Purple ZebraMy dear, sweet girl. The one with <i>questions</i> bigger than she is. Thoughtful and <i>sparkly</i> and colorful and <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">smart</span></i>. She shies away from direct attention, but loves being silly and <i>creative</i>. She loves <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">all things</span></i> colorful and sparkly and wants to grow up to be a <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mermaid princess</span></i>. However, her favorite thing to collect is rocks, even if they seem common and mundane to the rest of us-she sees something <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">beautiful and interesting</span></i>. She is every bit as <i>girly</i> as I was a tomboy, proving that God <i>does have a sense of humor. </i><br />
<br />
When I was looking up how to spell "sparkly" online, I ran across this entry in the Urban Dictionary:<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Sparkley Purple Zebra</i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i> A sparkley purple zebra is a nickname used to describe a woman who is beautiful, intelligent, awesome and who can always make your day. Sparkley purple zebras can be very hard to come by and should be cherished and loved.</i></blockquote>
<br />
Yep, misspelling and all, that is Lydia, <i>she</i> is <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my</span></i> sparkley purple zebra. And today, my sparkley purple zebra is FIVE YEARS OLD!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5rSxV_uY-QE7eijynLebZ7P0ap8p4CsGtEWabVQTjtghemg2TpYWn7ucH9r4-VPFrSZy62EcfKXNmQ7VLVMOVbzdwORdcl6ica1ebk2EJ-DIxYL0XbnOjAWeadoZ3eGtXmPiug/s1600/IMG_0698-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5rSxV_uY-QE7eijynLebZ7P0ap8p4CsGtEWabVQTjtghemg2TpYWn7ucH9r4-VPFrSZy62EcfKXNmQ7VLVMOVbzdwORdcl6ica1ebk2EJ-DIxYL0XbnOjAWeadoZ3eGtXmPiug/s320/IMG_0698-1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-88793823459438424972011-09-20T14:01:00.001-04:002011-09-20T14:01:30.503-04:00Perspective<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think most of us have done it from time to time: read so close to the page that you can't see what's happening around you, got caught up in a game and didn't hear your spouse calling your name. When I taught art, I had to constantly remind my students to <i>step back </i>from their work and look at the larger composition. When we can't see details in relation to the bigger picture, those details get warped and are not drawn correctly in relation to everything else. So taken with what we are focused on, we don't see how out of proportion we've made it. We fail to see our lives in perspective , because we <i>are focused too closely on them.</i> </span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then something comes along and smacks you on the head, usually metaphorically. Sometimes it's just a good solid punch to the heart. Suddenly, you are ashamed at how silly you've been, worrying about things God has already proven He will take care of, focusing on things that might be interesting, or troubling, but in the grand scheme of things, quite possibly <i>aren't as important as we once thought. </i>You are <i>forced</i> to take a step back, and reevaluate your worries and your reactions to them. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Has that ever happened to you? It happened to me.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A good friend of mine texted me last Friday morning, asking for prayers because she was taking her kids to the ER. Her seven-year-old daughter had a fever of 103 and her son had been complaining of head and neck pain. The boy they were concerned about because he as a shunt in his head, common to kids with spina bifida. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By mid-morning, I'd heard nothing, so I texted her back to ask her how the kiddos were doing. She called me immediately, explaining that while her son was fine, they were taking her daughter, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lily-Mae/262540440444443">Lily</a>, to U of M childrens' hospital because her blood work had come back abnormal.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By evening they were waiting to find out what kind of leukemia she had.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's that punch to the heart.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The most amazing thing? What I'll never forget as long as I live? My friend Dala, telling me on the phone two days later, "<i>I can see God everywhere around us." </i>She spoke of people coming together to take care of them and provide for their needs, her fellow teachers volunteering their sick days for her, the sense of peace she felt as proof of the prayers being said, and the way prayers were answered. Her faith is <i>rock solid.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This family had already been through more trials than most people deal with in their lifetime. And then Lily's diagnosis. Yet, the peace they have, the knowledge that God will carry them through this, just as he has in the past. <i>It is beyond words. </i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have they cried? <i>Yes.</i> I talked with Dala while she was following the ambulance to U of M. Normal for them was being severely redefined, <i>again.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do they wish they could change things? <i>Absolutely. </i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But in the thick of it, <i>" I can see God everywhere around us."</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That, is <i>perspective.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-41451415853060596842011-09-13T18:17:00.001-04:002011-09-13T18:17:15.698-04:00I feel like God is poking me on the head....hard.Well, in the time span of 24 short hours, the class I needed to take this semester in order to get re-certified to teach has been paid for. I am able to RENT my text books for half the price of buying them. And we have received an unexpected sum of cash from two different places that will help alleviate that costs of driving to Mt. Pleasant to take said class. In addition, an old friend from CMU has offered to let me crash at her house overnight, so I don't have to pay for a hotel. Also, the pay cuts were not nearly as bad as they could have been, and while we are still looking at a respectable shortage of income, it's not devastating as it could have been. <br />
<br />
I'm still not keen on going back to work full time just yet. But I'm going to follow what I believe is God's leading here. If he keeps opening doors, I'll keep walking through.<br />
<br />
Getting poked in the head hurts. Ouch. ;)Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-31043059961808532872011-09-12T10:51:00.000-04:002011-09-12T10:51:44.216-04:00What I hate talking about, but still need to.I struggle with keeping an optimistic outlook when life gets difficult. I marvel at people who can lean so heavily on their faith and trust in God without worry. Truth is, sometimes I'm deeply afraid of what God might allow to happen in my life. I worry that I won't make it through. Lately, my general outlook on life is pretty crummy. I'm so angry that I feel I could snap if someone brings up how good teachers have it right now. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is not a good time to be a teacher. Or to be living on a teacher's salary. For some reason, teachers have come under fire from popular media, law makers, and the culture in general. We are painted as greedy, lazy, and overpaid. Let me tell you, no one who goes into teaching is greedy for money. Are there lazy teachers? Yes. There are lazy workers every where and in every profession. It just happens this way. Most of the teachers I know are hard-workers, who want to be good at what they do, and impact kids for the positive. On top of being vilified, which is difficult enough to take, teachers are looking at massive cuts in pay and much higher insurance prices to be paid out of pocket. I know that many people pay out of pocket for their insurance. My belief, though, is that if you want the best and the brightest to become teachers, they need to be able to pay back their loans and support their families with their income. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In Michigan, tenure and seniority have basically been removed. Teachers can be fired for pretty much anything. There is no job security. On top of it, in our district, there is a noticeable level of tension between teachers and administrators lately.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
People blame unions for the problems in education, but if there are no unions then districts will be able to hire the lowest bidder. I certainly don't want the lowest bidder teaching my kids, who would?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In Michigan right now, due to choices made by our governor and state legislature, state workers have to pay 20% into their own insurance (my husband's district forced 25%, with a $600 deductible), there was a surplus in the Education Fund, and yet they slashed funding to schools. We find out tonight how much of a pay cut our teachers are receiving (2-5%). In our household, we are looking at near $1000 less a month in spendable income. For a five person family on one income, this is devastating. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And so, I am angry. I am worried. I am sad and frustrated and feeling pretty helpless. I'm looking at going back to work full time, about three years before we had planned. My youngest will have to be in child care instead of spending time at home with me. I feel like he's getting cheated. I hate feeling guilty, and at the same time not being able to talk about any of it because most people still think teachers have it pretty good.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My heart is raw right now, and I feel my faith in God is next to nothing. I know this isn't what Christians are supposed to say. But I'm not going to fake it and say something I'm not feeling. I'm sure there is a purpose to this, I believe God is in control. I just wish I had peace about it, that God will provide, that it will all work out for the good of those who love Him. I know the Bible promises these things. I wish my heart knew them as well. </div>
Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-17292992595035363452011-09-08T17:23:00.003-04:002011-09-08T17:23:48.986-04:00I'm back. <br />
<br />
I miss writing. <br />
<br />
The last year or so has been very difficult for me. Most of dealing with my mom's death has been an internal process, I'm not outward about things so close to the heart. On top of that, an extraordinarily rough spring coincided with the anniversary of my mother's death. And then a ridiculously busy summer. <br />
<br />
But I'm back.<br />
<br />
I miss writing. <br />
<br />
<br />Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-77214924325461758092010-12-31T11:10:00.000-05:002010-12-31T11:10:54.031-05:002010: Sometines it's hard, but still, "Life is good".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ogtTSX8MHxygpmhnhUOWd2Uve15lXGfERCqLTUkKksfLLgdR49-l0rL1HHSSm7mQXDkcTzE1mJVBcM1TnI2kjAtR6EIrDL7QUvfiv-9Zdy6MEUr39GJQpKXgHV3uIOEiFuEdw/s1600/image0-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ogtTSX8MHxygpmhnhUOWd2Uve15lXGfERCqLTUkKksfLLgdR49-l0rL1HHSSm7mQXDkcTzE1mJVBcM1TnI2kjAtR6EIrDL7QUvfiv-9Zdy6MEUr39GJQpKXgHV3uIOEiFuEdw/s200/image0-1.jpg" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="200" /></a> I sat here for a few moments, trying to think of a word that describes the last year for me. I couldn't come up with anything, other than I'm glad it's over. I feel as if I've lived a life time in the past year. From finding out about my mom's cancer at the start of the year, to the numerous treks back and forth across the state during her illness, and her subsequent passing and funeral, plus the added complication of me severely breaking my foot, needing surgery and Terry shopping for another vehicle for us (and yes, it was ALL at the same time!) It's been difficult, to say the least.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35VDOqmgI8DAVNuxUkfCI8Mt3tiu6Pi0hR1nkDNuouvY3E2D9bfIAs_EqnZ7TGb8jjOnSXr5U8XRZWpJiubNCcSpypUuBX4TRebT3m5RYNw9ZcA7oMyviEmdShFsHmd-VH-bRug/s1600/05-27-07_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Although this year has been marked by both pain, suffering, and loss, I would be remiss if I didn't in some small way celebrate the fact that Terry and I have been married for ten years now, we are happy, and are looking forward to many, many more. That's something these days, and I'm proud of us. Our anniversary this year fell between the time that my foot was broken, my mom passed away, and her funeral. Obviously not much celebrating can be done when you are in a wheelchair at a funeral home, but we took the time to share a few moments, nonetheless. We've had our high times and our low times, grown stronger with them. I definitely couldn't have made it through this past year without Terry. He is....amazing. While I dealt with physical and emotional pain and loss, he got the double experience of being a "single" parent plus taking care of an invalid. He handled it a hundred times better than I could, I know that much.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctlZY8nrblzZHCv7x-qE7J7mltC8EqWdSi11HshjUqk2BZR9f6fCWQtgkyCHSarj0hi_eUUuGVuRasn822jbPjhq4_0zHNCiq6_96lvYbz9Rh1LxlDXWAthm0cv750qQkGsffow/s1600/SandyHunt.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctlZY8nrblzZHCv7x-qE7J7mltC8EqWdSi11HshjUqk2BZR9f6fCWQtgkyCHSarj0hi_eUUuGVuRasn822jbPjhq4_0zHNCiq6_96lvYbz9Rh1LxlDXWAthm0cv750qQkGsffow/s200/SandyHunt.jpg" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="160" /></a>Obviously, my mom's passing has left a hole. I miss her, much more intensely some days than others, but always. However, I have noticed some positive things happening that probably wouldn't have otherwise. Our family seems closer, more affectionate with each other. It's hard to put a finger on what specifically is different, but it's <i>better</i>. We seem to be reaching out towards each other more. My dad has been amazingly honest with me about how he's doing, which I'm thankful for. When other people could easily withdraw, he has purposefully looked for ways to get out and DO things. I'm proud of him, although he'd probably not think he's doing anything special-that's how he is. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvejDBGAo4DRh5V02BkCRKTARrMVC_mbn2lYxJbV9le2BTCYs5bVY9kfc3D6Cetrd10NyOM89uVjRNjNI_U4uEDg136WnlN58uSDjzaR4WPdw96SSPD2Bm3aPYvXuDFYjdkwdoQ/s1600/IMG_3092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvejDBGAo4DRh5V02BkCRKTARrMVC_mbn2lYxJbV9le2BTCYs5bVY9kfc3D6Cetrd10NyOM89uVjRNjNI_U4uEDg136WnlN58uSDjzaR4WPdw96SSPD2Bm3aPYvXuDFYjdkwdoQ/s200/IMG_3092.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35VDOqmgI8DAVNuxUkfCI8Mt3tiu6Pi0hR1nkDNuouvY3E2D9bfIAs_EqnZ7TGb8jjOnSXr5U8XRZWpJiubNCcSpypUuBX4TRebT3m5RYNw9ZcA7oMyviEmdShFsHmd-VH-bRug/s1600/05-27-07_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35VDOqmgI8DAVNuxUkfCI8Mt3tiu6Pi0hR1nkDNuouvY3E2D9bfIAs_EqnZ7TGb8jjOnSXr5U8XRZWpJiubNCcSpypUuBX4TRebT3m5RYNw9ZcA7oMyviEmdShFsHmd-VH-bRug/s200/05-27-07_1621.jpg" width="200" /></a>The broken foot.....well. I am a firm believer that God has a plan for my life, and that everything happens within His plan. I hope to one day know what the point of me severely breaking my foot and needing/having surgery while at the same time dealing with the loss of my mom was. I'd really like to know that one,<i> really</i>. Rehabilitation was a pretty good distraction from the grief....but not THAT good a distraction! Certainly a good book would have been just as effective an much less painful. ;)<br />
<br />
And around and through it all, there is my mom. Christmas was better than I expected. We stuck together, we enjoyed our time with one another, which is what my mom would have wanted, I think. My kids talk about her pretty often, especially Isaac and Lydia. It's hard to talk with them sometimes, but I'm glad they do, and I want them to continue. <br />
<br />
This last picture is the favorite of us kids. It's from her camera phone, she was trying to figure out how it worked, and never knew she'd taken a couple pictures of herself. One day when I was cleaning out her phone for her, I discovered it, and sent it to myself, of course! I then sent it to my sister, my brother, my husband, my nephew. We all used it for her photo in our contacts. It came up every time she called. It was a perfect example of her relationship with technology. She never knew about it. It's still makes us laugh, even when we are missing her.<br />
<br />
I have new hopes for 2011. I have goals to accomplish, both personal and professional. The wound is still too tender, though, for me to be excited. I'm happy, though, and that's something. I'm still in love with my husband, I value the people in my life, and love them. Life is good. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-32696281863826579452010-12-21T09:23:00.001-05:002010-12-21T09:23:32.805-05:00A Christmas TraditionMy family did our Christmas this morning, aS we will be else where on Christmas. And as my kids began to tear into their gifts, I had a moment of panic that we had not put out all the gifts. I prepared myself to go down to the basement to find whatever might be missing...and then I smiled to myself, and thought of my mom. <br/> <br/> Mom was notorious for forgetting to put out a couple gifts. During gift opening, she'd inevitably be mumbling to herself,"Now WHERE are those jeans I got for __________?" Later in the day, maybe the day after Christmas, she'd find it and hand it over to whoever had unknowingly been "shorted". I always wondered how in the world she could misplace the gifts so often. However, after a couple years of buying gifts for three children, I just want to tell her, "I finally understand, Mom, I finally understand."<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11922904.post-49310004075162663492010-09-23T21:28:00.000-04:002010-09-23T21:28:23.721-04:00Lydia Turns Four<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQN4UqHw7DCb4QH3goczwi0-71XwjJmUUzCOf-OoiJAScJ2o1yMhZSyZ0E1GuyqKxyNRscHJRPgQq2bmuG965ApeKfmGB1f_upK86ukc4vfqfjMu0YQ8OKgHwq0ltiA3yx8u3Nw/s1600/LydiaAtFour+copy.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQN4UqHw7DCb4QH3goczwi0-71XwjJmUUzCOf-OoiJAScJ2o1yMhZSyZ0E1GuyqKxyNRscHJRPgQq2bmuG965ApeKfmGB1f_upK86ukc4vfqfjMu0YQ8OKgHwq0ltiA3yx8u3Nw/s400/LydiaAtFour+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Denise B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08215875955831300801noreply@blogger.com0