Kayla and Trevor

Here are a few cute pics of Kayla and Trevor that I captured today.

Day 96 of 365, Vehicle Troubles...

Day 96 of 365, Yesterday, Karmyn got in her car, started it up and backed out of the driveway and realized she couldn't steer the vehicle.  She used my car to drive to school.  Terry has been working long hours so I didn't want to bother him with vehicle trouble.   This morning, I decided to go see Darren Carrol, owner of Watson Auto Parts.  I knew that Darren would check to see if I simply needed to replenish the steering fluid.  Well, Darren walked out to my car and said, "There is your problem right there."  He was pointing to a belt that was hanging loosely under my car.  So, I was in the right place.  I purchased the belt.  After I checked out, I walked back to ask Darren another question.  I needed to know if I would be able to drive the car back home.  He looked up from his reference books and saw the man standing behind me.  He asked the man, "Hey, ya wanna make some money?"  I looked around and I saw a man in a striped work shirt with the name, Ronnie, on the patch.  He smiled and took the belt and I showed him where I was parked.  He started working on installing the new belt while I sat on the curb watching.   He had routed the belt but did not have the tools that he really needed to set the tension.  So, he told me to wheel around and drive across the street to Tommy's Automotive. 

Tommy was nice enough to let Ronnie borrow a couple tools.  That darned tension must have been tough!  I saw both of them tugging on the tools but they decided they needed a little more leverage.  So, they called in reinforcement.  See the guy with the Muscle Milk cap?  They laughed and called him out to give them some assistance.  I heard them tell him to '...lean on it...'   Woops, there it is!  Belt on and we were back in business! 

 Hanging around them for just the little bit of time reminded me of old days.  When Terry and I were dating, I used to love to be around his gear head buddies.  They loved their muscle cars, old cars and 4 wheel drives.  Even though I didn't know what they were talking about when they talked 'shop', It would tickle me just to hear their stories.  They would get so excited as they bounced their stories (usually dangerous) back and forth.  I can say it was never dull when we hung out with the fellas.  They didn't have a 'lick 'o sense' as we say in the south.  All of Terry's buddies were wild and crazy.  I bet they have calmed down now as adults in the real world.  But, I guarantee if we all got together today, those old stories would come back up again.  And, we would all go right back to that time of freedom and invincibility.

What reminded me today of the old gang about these guys was how they laughed and worked together.  I can tell that they put their all into whatever they do.  It is so nice to see people who enjoy life.  Tommy has a race car.  I asked him where he raced as the wheels in my mind were turning. 

 I have never photographed race cars before.....

hmmmm.....could be something I would like to try.  :)

If I ever need some Automotive work, I know who I can call. 

 I can all Tommy (see his phone number above)

or Ronnie Sibley at 225-573-3133. 

Day 95 of 365, Gorgeous Fuschia Azaleas

 

Day 95 of 365, Spring Azaleas are so beautiful.

 This pretty azalea bush is planted around the base of my oak tree in my backyrard. I played around a little more with my flash off camera. I love how punchy and beautiful the light is on the flowers. All of these pics are as shot which means no crops, no edits. When I first started workin with m dslr, I remember that I used to crop really tightly. Now, I typically never crop because I like to compose my shots in the camera.

Mia loves this little bed.  It is out of shape from washing so much and too small but she seems to like it.  It sits under my computer desk where she is usually right by my feet if I am at the computer.   She is a sweetie.

Day 94 of 365, Experimenting with my off camera flash

Day 94 of 365, Tonight I went outside in the dark of night to try to experiment with off camera flash.  For the rose, I simply held my flash unit in my outstretched left arm while trying to hand hold my camera steady for the shot with my opposite.  This rose bush is my trusty go to practice subject. 

Mia is another little trusty/not so trusty subject.  She is always here but not always still enough to be a trusty practice subject.  Here she is in the spotlight.  I laid my flash head on the grass and threw one of her little toys out in front of her.  She just plopped down and stayed there for a couple seconds which was just enough to snap this spotlight shot. 

Done!  I was barefoot and kept stepping in the stickers so I called her to come in for the night!  I want to practice more later.

Day 93 of 365, My oldest daughter's 22nd Birthday!

Day 93 of 365, Happy Birthday to Kayla!  Kayla is my oldest baby girl.  Below, Kayla is pictured with Granny to her right and her sister, Karmyn to her left.  I took this in the parking lot before walking into the restaurant. 

Kayla chose BRAVO! as the restaurant where she wanted to celebrate her birthday. She opened her gifts, we laughed, talked and ate delicious Italian food tonight.I like the atmosphere of this restaurant.  We had a very enjoyable time. 

Featuring Maria & Andy's Wedding Day Memories

For a limited time, I will feature Maria and Andy's beautiful Wedding Day Images at my client proofing website.  If you would like to see more, go to http://michellesibley.smugmug.com/.  

Day 92 of 365, Presented the Wedding Album to Bride and Groom

Day 92 of 365...Presentation/Delivery Date!  Here is the gift bag that I presented to Maria and Andy today.  Found inside is the Dvd slideshow movie which is a compilation of their Wedding Day images that I had photographed.  Also, their album is filled with a timeline story of photos from the getting ready, to the ceremony, first dance, daddy dance, cutting the cake, celebration reception and guests... all the way to the big smoocheroo right before they went away!  I think Maria, Andy and her family love all the pictures.  I am so honored to have captured her special day.  Check out Maria looking at her album with Andy looking over her shoulder.  When Maria realized that I wanted to take a pic of her, she said, "Oh no!  I've been laying out at the pool!"   

Yeah right, Maria!  You are beautiful no matter what! :)

Isabella awoke from her baby nap while I was there.  She is such an adorable little punkin'!  When her daddy playfully lifts her up and over his head, she squishes up her little face into the cutest giggly smile!  She is laying in the middle of her pallette playland.  She has all her toys around.  Next thing ya know she will be toddling around and pulling them all out of the toybox. 

 It is so amazing how babies can change so fast. 

You gotta love, capture and treasure every precious moment.