Live After Five - (Concerts in BR)

Hey y'all!  I gotta tell ya something. Live after Five is coming soon!  I really, really do not want to miss any of the concerts.  They all look great.  If you are in the BR area and interested, see dates and concert scheduling info here http://www.liveafterfiveonline.com/. 


Friday Nights,....After Five,... Live,... Hope to see ya there!

Day 53 of 365, Happiness for me!

Day 53 of 365, Today's Photo Challenge Subject:  Something that makes you Happy.

Here is a very general and quick list for me.  I journal each morning and one of the things that I make sure to remember are the things that make me happy.  Writing is very theraputic.  I write about everything such as family, health, finances, future, travel, praises, reflections, memories, goals, dreams, plans, schedules, complaints, hurts, wants, wishes... the list can go on until tomorrow so I will stop there.  I recommend writing your thoughts.  Yes, it is very theraputic.  It clears your mind and focuses your attention in a specific direction.  Everyone has something to say.  Some are just more vocal than others.  But, everyone has something to say.  If no one else will listen, your journal will.

p.s.  I wish I would have centered that text better, I wish I would have lined up the brackets.  Above all, I wish I would have spell Friendships, and not left out the D!  But, someone once made a very profound statement.  They even published a book about it titled 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff'!  To that end, with exuberance I will proclaim, "Amen & amen!".

Now, I am off on today's adventure.  Please do me a favor...be well, be blessed  & tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.  To my loved ones, I looooove you with squeezes, hugs and sloppy wet kisses on the cheek!  There you go, get excited.

This is day one of a new Photography Group that I joined.  It is called Powerful Pink Tuesday.  So, I photographed a pink party favor that I found in the gift wrap and games closet.  I hope I can keep up with the Pink theme.  When the girls were young, I had an abundance of pink paraphalia to photograph.  Not only did I join Pink Tuesday, I joined Bokeh Wednesday, Gorgeous Green Thursday & Fence Friday.  I also joined Bench Monday, but I forgot to take a picture a bench yesterday.  So, I missed participation in the Bench Monday for this week.  uh-oh!  I'll catch up next Monday, hopefully. 

Day 52 of 365, Fluffydoos!

Day 52 of 365, Today's Daily Photo Challenge, Subject is Fluffy

I used another picture as submission for my photo challenge, but was reminded of this capture.  I took this picture of the little girl and her poodle at the Krewe of Mutts Mardi Gras Parade on Jan. 31, in Baton Rouge, LA. The Krewe of Mutts is a special event for the fancy pooches to parade and show off their owners...or, is it the other way around?!!! I hope to attend again next year, as it is a terrific, family friendly, fun parade.

The photo above was my favorite of the series.  Below, you will see the sequence in which the shots happened.  When she spotted me with my long lens, she could tell I wanted to take a picture of her pooch. O' there she went...!  She started trying to make her little doggy look at the camera.  Sweetly, she started calling her name to get it's attention.  Let's just call her 'Fluffy'.  Snapping her fingers, she said, 'Fluffy, look, look!'  She wanted to make sure that I got a pretty picture of  her Fluffy.  Fluffy was a bit confused, so she hustled and grabbed Fluffy up to herself.  Proudly, she turned her around to face me.  Can't you just see the love she has for pet?  I love how she loves her Fluffy.  Obviously, she wanted me to love her pet too.  Isn't that what we do with our family, especially our very own children or grandchildren?  We want others to appreciate their specialness, just like Fluffy!

'I Wasn't Ready!' Bloopers & Hillarious Outakes

"Uhhhh...What is buzzing over there?""It's ON ME!" 

"oooooh, She wuuuuuuuuuvs me."

NO WORDS NECESSARY...!

LOL!!!

I had a great time on this engagement photo shoot with this couple.  We got some beauties but I also got some doozies!  I think I got snap happy.  When I was going through the images, these hillarious outakes cracked me up.  I sent them to the then bride-to-be in a 'Bloopers' slideshow.  Thankfully, she laughed and loved them so much, she wanted me to send the slideshow to all her friends! 

For me, that fourth one 'Takes The Cake!'

Posted to participate in Fun Challenge.  To see more hillarious outakes, go to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/

Day 51 of 365, Patiently waiting for Spring

Day 51 of 365, Look at my little froggy birdbath waiting soooo patiently for spring.  Almost, little froggy, almost!

Terry and I were gone yesterday, from 'can to can't'.  We are staying home today and completely veggin' around.  While Terry is effectively working the TV remote clicker, I decided to roam around the backyard to see if I could find inspiration for my blog post. 

Anticipating Spring!  The BEST time of the year! 

Goodie, goodie, lookie, lookie...my tree has leaf buds now!  And, then up pops one of those little clover flowers.  What is next?  Grass cutting season.  Getting the lawn summer ready is always fun because everyone is excited about coming out of the doldrums of winter.

Day 50 of 365, 'Crossing Over'

Day 50 of 365, In an earlier post, I introduced Jeanita.  A couple days ago, mom and I met with her for lunch.  (see day 48)  Well, today was a memorial service for her husband Claude.  It was held in their home church, a beautiful old Methodist Church.  I had never been there until today.  Terry and I actually arrived just before the start of the service.  As we walked in, we were greeted by the minister in her white robe.   All of the guests in attendance were quietly seated.  The choir was in place and ready to begin.  The above picture was taken as they sang a very beautiful traditional hymn.  The service was not sad because it was a celebration of a life well lived.   My heart was so full as they were talking about Claude and the way that he lived to serve other people.  Throughout his life, he ALWAYS made the people around him feel loved and special.  He gave of his time and devotion to kids, especially, all his life.  Because he was a football FANatic, he organized and coached little league football.  There were stories told about remembrances of Coach Claude.  If he knew a child wanted to play, but their family could not afford the expenses, he found a way to raise the funds.   It was even mentioned in his eulogy that when he arrived at the emergency room, he was greeted by one of his former players who said, "Coach Claude...!"  Yes, he had a big heart and was loved by all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Jeanita and son, Ryan & daughter-in-law, Misty.  He adored Ryan, his only son.  I remember that Claude and Jeanita were ever so so proud of their son's baseball accomplishments.  Ryan was a pitcher for his varsity baseball team and went on to play at the college level.  As a lifelong sports fan, you can just imagine how happy Claude was to follow his son through his baseball career & glory days!  Yes, today was a celebration of a life well lived and remembered.

We went back to Jeanita's parents home after the service.  Here is Jeanita in black and white greeting two long time former work colleagues as they arrived.  All three ladies, including Jeanita, were my former work co-workers as well.  In 1985, Jeanita spoke for me to her bosses.  Of course, I was In Like Flint!  Jeanita had considerable influence within the company.  She was one of  the beloved 'Lillies'!  ('Lillies' was a pet name given to the original group of ladies who worked for the founder of the company.)  I worked there for 6 years, then decided to become a stay-at-home mom after my second baby was born.  I love all three of these ladies and I had such a nice time reuniting and reminiscing with them.  As we were leaving, Terry asked me, "Do you know who those ladies remind me of?" 

Terry has always thought this...He thinks that Margie looks like Jamie Lee Curtis, Kay reminds him of Kathy Bates and Jeanita reminds him of Bette Midler.  In my opinion, he is right on the button, not only in appearance but personna as well.  Margie uses proper grammar in her speech & her dialect reminds him of  Jamie Lee Curtis.   Plus, her cute haircut makes us both think JLC, as well.  Kay is honest and straight to the point like the wonderful actress Kathy Bates.  And, Jeanita has the bold laugh, smile and personality of "the divine M", Miss Bette Midler.  Jeanita is going to be A-OK! 

'CROSSING OVER'

When we left the fellowship, we headed to Lavonia to meet with Terry's work cohorts and their wives for dinner at Not Your Mama's Cafe & Tavern.  Food & atmosphere is super great there.  We were able to talk, laugh & comfortably visit for about two hours in this wonderful restaurant.  Those men are so funny and I loved visiting with their wives too.  There is always a funny story to be told when we get together.  We are in the first stage of perhaps putting together a group trip to Talledega in October!  Oh yeah, I am up for it & ready to roll! 

TBD..., (but I think it is going to happen). I have never gone to a Nascar Race.  So, I'm super excited!

Yippee -Yi -Yay - Coyote!!!

For today's image above, I think I will call it, 'Crossing Over'.  

I captured that image as we crossed over the Old Mississippi River Bridge.

I thought of The Bridge that Crosses the Great Divide!

Sunset on the 'Mighty Mississipp'

Day 49 of 365, Arms

Day 49 of 365, Today's Daily Photo Challenge Subject is Arms.  I thought about trying to find a barbie, or even a swing arm lamp.  Then, I remembered the picture that I had taken of the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary, Washington, DC.  The ceremony that we saw was in the middle of the day.   As time drew near for the ceremony to take place, we took a seat on the concrete benches provided for the public.  The incoming sentinal marched in at the precisely scheduled time for him to report.  The ceremonial exchange was viewed by, we, the audience.  This event occurs each and every time the standing guard is relieved of their post.  It is a somber and markedly reverant experience.  The sentinals, each wear heel taps.  As they march, the sound makes it seem more poignant.  The sentinal marches 21 steps across the black mat, makes a crisp 90 degree turn to face east for 21 seconds, then makes a crisp 90 degree turn again to face north for 21 seconds.  He then does a  "shoulder arms" movement with his rifle.  After, "shoulder arms", he continues the march of 21 steps in the other direction to start the process again.  I appreciate the opportunity to have witnessed the changing of the guard.  If interested in seeing more detailed information, a wonderful website that I found was http://www.homeofheroes.com/.

Here is a Baton Rouge Police Officer who had just passed me by on horseback.  I captioned this one 'Long Arm of the Law' to go along with the Subject theme.  I like how imposing the officer and horse appear from this perspective.  I thought of this picture in relation to the subject because of the powerful dynamic this image represents.  Can you see it?... 'The Long Arm of the Law'?  

I am thankful for the bravery of our good police officers who work to keep honest civillians safe.