Day 61 of 365, Taxes

Today was tax filing day.  I have been putting it off.  But, finally, I gathered up my info and headed over to mom's.  She is the expert tax filer from WAAAY back!  My mom has filed everybody's, and I mean everybody's tax information from back in the olden days.  Remember when you used to have to use an actual pen to fill in your pertinent information?  Well, yeah.   Taxes?....done.

Actually, it is not as bad as I had feared.  I'm just being dramatic.  But, honestly, the amount that is taken out of everybody's payroll checks is out of sight!  Something's gotta give.  I think it is time for a Tea Party!

Day 60 of 365, Something Sweet & Something Pink

Day 60 of 365, Our Daily Photo Challenge Subject:  Something you think is sweet.  So, I had a pic of a snowball (syrupy, sweet kind) as one option.  Another image that I had already was of the most delicious pie you ever tasted.  My sister-in-law brought her pie in the fancy pie plate with all the special touches to our Christmas gathering this year.  I really was thinking about using that one.  It is sweet and I'll bet you would swoon if you took a bite of her pie.  It is that good!  We all make requests for it in advance. 

Truthfully, the daily photo challenges are supposed to be exactly that....taken daily.  So, instead of going retro to my Christmas files.  I looked around me.  Of course who is at my feet?  And, what is the sweetest thing I know?  Mia!  She is the sweetest little doggy that could have ever come into our life.  When any of the four of us in the family walk in the door, we all oooh and ahhh and make a big to do over her.  She wags her tail so hard from side to side.  I always tell her to, "shake it, shake it, don't break it!"   So sweet Mia was going to be my subject.  Now, I had to figure out how I wanted to capture sweet Mia.

Okay, tell me something, what is today?  Yeah, yeah...that is right, today is Pink Tuesday.  (another photography challenge group)  Okay, the wheels start to slowly, creekily turn an idea. Just this weekend, Kayla and Trevor took you know who, OSD (one spoiled dog) to Petco to let her pick out a toy.  I guess she picked out two toys because she came home with a yellow duck and a pink football.  A-Ha!  The pink football!   

Something sweet? Something pink? check... check.   Now I had to figure out how to attempt to catch my something sweet and my something pink in one picture.  So, I decided to tempt her with the football up over my head.  I knew I needed to get low because Mia, well she is pretty low as you can tell.  I think I was laying on my ear on the cold tile floor, camera stuck to my face, football poised over my head as far as my arm would reach.  whew!  As I expected, she started circling around anticipating her target practice.  Then, I gave it a sling down the hall.  Of course, she shot out after the football and I was able to catch a couple cute pics.  I think it turned out cute for a last minute little photo shoot, in the hall, laying on my ear~ 

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