Day 59 of 365, Clay and the Timer

Day 59 of 365, I actually did take some pics today.  They were practice pics all around the house and yard.  S.O.Stuff.  So, I decided that I would  introduce Clay today.  Clay's dad is my 1st cousin.  His family came to visit at my parent's home  on Superbowl Sunday, Jan. 8, 2010.  Geaux Saints! Anyway, my mom (Granny) hasn't had a young kid around for a long time.  She didn't really have anything exciting for a kid that is Clay's age.  I think he picked up the clock timer and was curious.  So, Granny proceeded to show him how it worked.  She can make anything sound like fun.  Kinda like those commercials that make a person want to purchase ShamWow!  Ok, so you get the idea.  She loves kids and can get into their imagination.  My, Karmyn also calls her Granny a dog whisperer, but that is another story. 

Look at that sweet profile.  He is listening to Granny as she points out how to read the timer.  Can you hardly stand it?  O' so sweet!  Plus, he is sharp as a tack!  A very smart boy, that Clay.

Day 58 of 365, Baseball & Softball Season Opens + Festival Video

Day 58 of 365, Terry and I went to watch Karmyn, Brandon, Patrick & Leslie during their softball practice.  Patrick is my nephew who played Varsity baseball at the very park that is pictured here.  You can't see much of the park but there are the grandstand and press box.  Patrick went on to play Division 1 baseball.  He has clocked many pitching hours of practice and field time on the field above.  My daughter, Karmyn played softball.  She had opportunities to play college ball but declined.  So, she has been out of practice for about a year.  When Patrick called her to help him start up a co-ed team, she was excited.  Her boyfriend, Brandon and Patrick's girlfriend, Leslie are going to be on the team, also. 

After Terry and I went for a bite to eat, he mentioned that he wanted to swing by the practice to see how it was going.  "O' please, don't twist my arm, Terry!  I have my camera right here with me!!!"  So, I hopped out and took a few pics of the kids at practice.  It was too dark and I got alot of blur.  Then, I turned around and saw that the sun was sitting on top of the press box.  So, I got a couple sunset ball park shots.  

We have clocked many days, or entire weekends rather, from sun up to waaaay past sunset at ballparks all over this country.  We crossed through our state and traveled to neighboring states to play Fastpitch Softball EVERY weekend of the summer.  Plus, we always qualified to go to a national tournament.  For Karmyn's final tournament, we traveled to a hightly competitive, aspirational tournament in Denver, CO.  We stayed there for a week, which is typical for a big tourney.  There were so many teams.  I am can't remember the exact number, but I think I was close to 200.  We placed either 4th of 5th in that tournament.  So, this image has a personal significance to me.  Not only the location, but the time of year-Opening of Baseball & Softball Season or maybe the significance for me might be the sun's setting on our Softball days. bittersweet.    

Press Pause on Music Playlist (upper right sidebar).

I created a video this morning of the beautiful faces and fun at the Spring Festival that I went to yesterday.  All of the photos are beautiful on my computer.  Although, because they were compressed as a wave file, there is distortion in the clarity of the images.  I need to check into HD quality for You Tube.   This is the first time I posted to You Tube.  Still learning stuff! 

O' well, this vid/slideshow looks absolutely beautiful in the High Definition format which I was able to view on computer.  Even though it doesn't look as good here, I still wanted to post it to my blog.  I enjoyed a beautiful sun shining day of photography yesterday.  This is what I captured...here you go!

Festival Family Togetherness

Day 57 of 365, Debbie's Heavenly Gems

Day 57 of 365, Today was a lot of fun. Terry had a pretty hard week at work last week so I think he needed a little extra measure of R&R! Kayla mentioned to me last night, that a Spring Festival was going on at a church close to us. I decided to grab the camera and head over there to catch some giggles and smiles from the cute little kiddos. Oh, there were plenty of giggles and smiles alright. I still have not processed all of those pics yet!

The video file above is of my friend, Debbie and her wonderful oldest daughter. I happened upon her booth of gorgeous handmade jewelry that she calls Heavenly Gems. This jewelry is soooo beautiful. I love, love, loved all of it. Everything that Debbie touches turns out so neat! She is one of those kinds of people with a little extra magic in her crafty little fingers. Even her home,... my daughter said that her house could be in a magazine because, 'It is so perfect!' That is Debbie. She is a first class Christian mom who always has a smile to share and a listening ear. She and her oldest daughter, Katie, will be making a trip to Israel soon! I am sure they are eagerly looking forward to their upcoming travel date.

When I picked up one of the beautiful necklaces that caught my eye, I felt the fine quality & luxurious weight of the beading. It was not heavy, but substantial. If you read my blog post for Day 6 of 365, Money and Truth, you would know I am an avid QVC/HSN watcher! I see jewelry all day long. Honestly, I figured I was holding at least a $75.00 necklace. As I squinted my 40+ year old eyes, I read $35.00. huh? I wondered, "Am I seeing that price correctly?" I made sure again...yes. That was her price. Not only that, she had some fine, and I do mean fine, earrings that she was selling for $5.00! You have got to contact Debbie and see her jewelry if you live in the Baton Rouge area. If not, she will ship her products at the standard shipping rate. Her email address is LOUMCDC1@aol.com. She can help you with product and pricing if you contact her at that address.

I had to refrain from taking, oodles & oodles, to the point of overkill, pics of Debbie's booth. I did not want to embarrass her.  But, just look at those sweet  pearl necklaces.  Can't you picture one  for your little princess? Oh, you want all of 'em! I know you do!


p.s. I have a pair of her drop earrings-not too big, not too little, but juuuust right. I luv 'em. Thank you Debbie.

Festival Faces

Day 56 of 365, Surprise Start to My Day

Day 56 of 365, Today started out with a very unexpected phone call.  I met a lady last summer at the nail salon. We were getting side by side pedi's.  Of course, we started chatting away.  I can't remember exactly how the conversation started but I told her about my photography enthusiasm.  I remember how cute and friendly she was.  She seemed to be a busy lady who has 'lots of irons in the fire' at once!  I gave her a composite card with some bridal engagement pics that I had recently taken.  I was so happy with the way the little cards had turned out so I happened to have one in my purse.  Before I left, she told me that she had a daughter that would eventually be needing a wedding photographer.  I had butterflies in my stomach at the possibility of being the photographer chosen for the very special day. 

Well, this morning, I was piddlin' around in the kitchen and my cell phone began it's obnoxious tune.  It is one of those shreaky, wordless, doop-de-doo ringtones that is so annoying.  It is a Go Phone, after all.  I have to use the Go Phone because I put my new phone on top of my car and peeled out!  I am sure it is waterlogged in some ditch.  So, back to the obnoxious ringing.   I think I was off in never-never land because I was totally not phased.  Karmyn, who was sitting at the bar, asked with sarcasm, "Mom, do actually NOT hear your phone?"  Oh, okedokie...I think I came back to earth and reached to see who called.  hmmmm?  I didn't recognize the number.  As I was scratching my head in thought, up pops "1 Voicemail".   So, I proceed to go check the message.  Guess who it was?  One guess, go ahead, take a gander...yep!  You got it.  It was the lady from the nail salon!  She wanted to talk with me about photography for her daughter's wedding.  What?  Come on!  I really could not believe that she had kept my contact information for so long. 

We played phone tag a few times today.  But, by the end of the day, we came to an agreement and I have the supreme honor of being the photographer chosen to capture the memories of a very special time in the life of two young people.  Remember the butterflies that I had on our first meeting?  They came back today!  Butterflies of exitement...and, dare I say, a bit of pride in my photography and how it has grown to mean so very much to me!

p.s.  Toni, if you read this,....Thanks!  Everything is going to work out beautifully. 

Day 55 of 365, Zoopidy Zoo Da Day!

"Suga, don't even think about hoggin' my spotlight!"

"Is this the no name Extra Value Brand?"

"Freeze,... huff, huff, huff...Don't Breathe!"

"I put a spell on you!"

Day 55 of 365, Sharing a few Zoo images that I captured yesterday on my little photo field trip.