December 31, Happy Penguins

I’m happy for a new year! I will miss 2011, it was a rocking year for sure! But I’m looking forward and I am so hopeful and excited for what it will bring.

Be safe and be warm tonight. Wishing you a wonderful new year.

December 28, Starry Night

The weather’s been wet, and the news “says” it’s the fourth warmest December on record in our area.

It will continue to be mild, “they” say.

And the raindrops can be mistaken for a starry filled night sky.

For Outdoor Wednesday.

Another Milestone

The girl passed her learner’s permit test last week.

I’m not ready. I’ll say it again, I’m not ready.

She asked me that night if she could drive. I was just involved in an accident last month and we were down to one car. We just bought our second car last Christmas Eve eve, three days after she go her permit.

I’m not ready -

- so I said no.

She’s driven since and trust me, I wish I continued to say no – no – no – no…

Her license photo was awfully cute though…

What is going around here? Why is my life flying by so quickly?

December 27, LCAT Cody

LCAT Cody’s mom asked me to take some head shots of him last month. I waited until my 1.8 50 mm lens came so before I sat him down. I heard it was a great portrait lens. And it is a great portrait lens. In spite of the horrible lighting and incredibly unflattering yellow wall, I think that Lost and Confused Adolescent Teen Cody’s portrait came out well. It’s a good thing he’s got those great blue eyes yes?

Edits – MCP’s Bag O’Tricks, Bring Out The Eyes by PW at 38% opacity, and smile by his orthodontist.

By the way, Cody is 14 years old. He is at that perfect Lost and Confused Adolescent Teen (LCAT) age. My own kids are almost 16 and 17 years old and are starting to come out of it, thank goodness. How will I ever make fun of them now?

For Sweet Shot Tuesday.

The Life Lesson Of Kitty Chemotheraphy

On one of the most emotional and busiest times of year there is this – our cat is sick. I know that non-pet owners find it difficult to relate. And I know that compared to many other losses and problems of the world, this doesn’t quite measure up.

Many people have lost loved ones very close to them and this time of year can be particularly painful for those left behind. We know – we miss our brother Dennis. He died far too young. We think of the friends we lost in the line of duty – flying their airplanes and doing what they love, but dying far too soon. I miss my Grammie and my sweet Uncle Jack who I adored as a child because I knew he loved me. He would show it by asking every single detail of my life. When I came home from overseas, he would ask about my work, my travels, my boyfriend. I would tell him and I never felt like he was nosy. His interest in me made me feel special. He would have loved my blog by the way.

I think of my friend Frank, who just passed away last August. He was found in his home, on the floor of his bathroom after he suffered a massive heart attack. We were a photography team and he had serving heart that inspired me to serve more and work harder. His photos fill my hard drive and I miss his presence every Sunday.

As much as we know it’s a part of life, it doesn’t mean it hurts less. So I try to shield the kids from the pain as much as I can while at the same time, letting them live through the experience. It’s a balance and the husband and I deal with our pain while attempting to stay strong for the kids.

But then the cat got sick and the kids are feeling the full pain of caring for a dying loved one. We know the kitty is old but somehow his sickness seemed sudden. We took him to the kitty hospital two weeks ago and there he stayed for three days. We didn’t think he would come home. He laid in one place for two days, his fur matted with his vomit. It was a horrible sight. The kids asked about him every day. I could see them struggling with his diagnosis of a cancerous tumor.

He’s home now and I force feed him his medicine twice a day. We keep a good eye on his food intake, his bowel movements and eye him as he slowly makes his way around the house. Every movement is watched carefully. The first thing I do when I wake is look for him. I don’t want him to crawl into a space and not ever find him again. And we never let him outside.

I admit, it’s been a great source of worry and distraction for me. Life has to continue on and Christmas had to come, in spite of our 24 hour vigil. I’m not going to state the obvious so right now, we’re just grateful for the little time our kitty has with us. And we’ll take care of him as best as we can.

A Run Down Of My Photography Gifts

Let me assure you that I have everything I need or could ever possibly want.

I mean it.

My husband and family continue to spoil me though. They know I love to take photos. The teens in my family don’t always appreciate my fanaticism for photography but I say this to that – oh well.

I will admit that I have been in a creative slump ever since my little Nikon D40 went to the repair shop in October/November and I was without my own camera for over a month. I borrowed from friends but it’s not the same. I had a routine which was broken and the logistics of downloading and editing became less easy and more of a chore.

As a result, my creativity suffered. I’m still trying to recover actually. I still bring my camera everywhere I go, I just don’t use it as often.

My parents and the husband went in together on a wonderful gift of a new camera, the powerful and wonderful Nikon D7000. I purchased myself a new 1.8 50 mm lens. And Santa brought me arguably the best gift -

a new Kelly Moore camera bag.

I am making a New Year’s resolution to study and become more educated in photography.

There will be no more excuses for creative slumps. None.

Now there just needs to be a little more time . . .

December 26, One Of “Those”

It’s the day after Christmas. For some inexplicable reason, I didn’t take many photos. I suppose it’s a combination of being so “busy” or the fact that my kids no longer hold up their presents proudly for the camera.

Either way, I will find a way to document even after Christmas because I am one of “those” that doesn’t want to miss a thing.

I hope your Christmas was merry and bright and filled with love.

December 23, Madness Is Relative

I love this horse though I think he was slightly mad. He kept poking his head out of his stall and neighing at me then immediately go back inside only to come out a few seconds later to do the same thing.

It’s the craziness of the Christmas season. It’s getting to him too!

Don’t let it get to you! It’s Friday but Christmas Eve is tomorrow night. Everything is still and bright. And it will be alright.

Madness is a relative term. Say Merry Christmas to someone today!

December 22, Light Of The Stable

This photo brought to mind the title of my favorite Christmas song – or one of them. It’s Light of the Stable by Sela. For some reason the stable referred to in the song probably not quite like this one but it’s enough of a reminder of the song and the Christmas season that I will post it anyway.

Merry Christmas once again, the day is almost here. Are you ready? And please wish someone a Merry Christmas today!

From Buds To Blossoms

I am surrounded by creative and talented people. I’m so blessed. I need to stop praying that some of it will rub off on me.

In any case, a beautiful soul and friend of mine Nicole Hutchins, just finished her first book. It’s a compilation of her essays and I am so stinkin’ proud of her!

If you would like to read soothing words that reaches to your soul, I highly suggest this book. Her writing is spiritual and inspirational.

You can purchase the book at Amazon.com or contacting her on blog, From Buds to Blossoms.

It’s such a wonderful, beautiful and oh so Merry Christmas!

For Outdoor Wednesday.

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