Day 67 of 365, perhaps one day the Grand Canyon...

Day 67of 365,  This morning, as I was tying my shoes, I was so giddy with anticipation.  "Why were you so giddy?", you might ask. Because!  I have been surfing and reading reviews, biting my nails hoping to make the wisest possible decision.   "What do you have to decide?", you might be wondering.  I finally decided exactly what I wanted.  Then, I talked to Terry and he was telling me that he wants to get new tires for his truck and blah, blah, blah...a buncha more stuff....I tuned out at that point.  I think my eyes glazed over when I realized that my purchase was going to be squashed.  bummer...He kept talking on the phone but I was not.  Then, after he finished his list, he asked me what I thought.  So, honesty is the best policy right?  I sighed and told him I was really wanting a new lens that I thought I needed for the wedding photo shoot.  Immediately, he said, well you can get your lens.  Whoa, my ears perked up!  For real?!!  Instantaneously, the giddiness came back! 

Now, I pick up at the ...."tying my shoes, I was so giddy with anticipation."  I was getting ready to head out the door to go purchase that lens.  The camera store lady said she had put my name on it and would hold it for me.  After, I said a cheerful bye-bye to Mia, I jumped in my big V-8 and put the hammer down!  I was on my way, today!  I got to the store and the lady proudly handed me my new lens.  I had brought my camera so she put a spit shine on the new glass and installed it on my camera body.  They give great customer service.  So, with my 'prospective' new lens was on my camera, I started pointin' and shootin' at everything in sight.  And, I was thrilled with the fast focus and the way that lens grabbed the available light!  That is how it looked in my view finder anyway.  I went to Perkins Rowe and felt like Snow White singing a happy little tune as I snapped pics of every colorful thing in sight.  Don't I sound happy?  I was.....until,I got home! 

Before I downloaded my images, I just knew I was going to give a high kick when I saw the results.  I expected every one to be a masterpiece creation.   pppppllluuuuhhhhhhhhhh!  That was the gross rasberry sound in case you need translation!  yucky, yucky.  I don't likey! 

The images were not clear and the focus way off.  I had it on auto white balance the whole time.  My Nikon has never given me any color problems.  But, everything looked a strange color.  I was disappointed to say the least.  I plan to return to the camera store tomorrow morn, asap!  I hope they can do something for me. 

On a lighter note, I want to go to the Grand Canyon, 1325 miles.

***these pics were NOT taken with the lens that I think is defective. 

Day 66 of 365, An Apple A Day

Day 66 of 365,
An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away!  I can't help but think of that sing song chant.  Today's photo challenge Subject:  Something that is weighed at the store.  I actually went to the grocery store today and bought these apples without thinking about the challenge.  I'm glad that I did because the next thing I knew, it was 11:30 pm and I had not done my photo challenge or blog post.  So, I set the basket of apples under my kitchen bar light and snapped this pic.   Easy breezy!   I like apples.  I like them better with caramel dip!  scrumptilli-ishous!

I had a nice long conversation with another photographer friend today.  His name is Gaylon and he has made me very happy.  He agreed to be a second shooter for my upcoming commissioned wedding on the 26th of this month.  On Saturday, I sent an e-mail request to him.  I asked him to consider working with me.  I had my fingers crossed that he would respond.  Well, this morning I got the call.  He said yes!  I am so very pleased.  Gaylon is a talented photographer who has the ability to capture the smallest gestures that tell so much.  Oh, I am so excited.  Thanks Gaylon, for saying yes!

The Apple Tree

Author Unknown

Way up high in an apple tree

Two little apples

smiled down at me

I shook that tree

as hard as I could

Down came the apples

M-m-m-m they were good.

              

I Heart Faces Challenge-Week 11, 'Bundle UP'

This was taken at the Krewe of Mutts Parade, January 31, 2010.  The I Heart Faces photo challenge subject for this week is 'Bundle Up'.  I  thought these two cool dudes look like they are trying to keep warm in the sun.





To see other bundle up pics, go to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2010/03/week-11-bundled-up-photo-challenge.html.

Day 65 of 365, The Earth is Shaking, People get ready!

Day 65 of 365, Daily Photo Challenge, Subject :  Something green.  I had captured this leafy green tree branch.  As I looked at the varigation of tones in the bright spring green leaves, I began to think about nature and our world today.  As with everything I see, touch or feel, I am reminded of my Great Creator and spiritual things.  Do you ever give yourself a moment of quietness to pause and ask your Creator to reveal Himself to you?   In our fast paced existance in the modern world, we barely have time for family dinner hour.  Does that sound so Ozzy & Harriett to you?  The family is pulled in 99 different committments.  Is there ever a day where all you do is stay home and visit with your children?  Or, perhaps get the chance to visit a 'long, time no see' someone special?  I think that any person would have their head in the sand in order to not notice the Earth is Shaking!   People get ready!  There is no time like right now to bow our heads and ask God to show us how to live.  I know that my God loves me.  He adores me actually just like he adores you.  Nothing can seperate us from God's love.  He is Abba Father after all.  Abba means Daddy.  I love my earthly father so much.  As a little girl, and still today, I know that I am welcomed into the safety and comfort of my Daddy's embrace.  I also know that I can run to the comfort of my Heavenly Daddy's embrace.  When I allow myself to get very still, very quiet, I can feel that warmth and comfort.  He lifts me up but keeps me grounded.  If you are worried about how the Earth seems to be shaking off its axis, run to the one true God who spoke this Earth into existance.   He will draw you in to Himself and there you will find comfort and safety of your Heavenly Daddy's embrace.  I pray with all my heart that people will get ready!  If you have a prayer request, you can write to me.   (see comments)  I will not post it unless you allow.  Please know that I am genuinely willing to listen and offer up a special prayer for you.
*******************************
copied from http://www.biblestudyplanet.com/d1.htm

DID YOU KNOW? – "ABBA FATHER"

In Romans 8:15 Paul tells us that we have "received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father." What does he mean by "Abba, Father"?

Abba is an Aramaic word which means "daddy" or "papa". What Paul is saying is when you accept Jesus as your Savior you are adopted into God’s family. You become His child and He becomes your heavenly Father. The relationship is so deep and so personal that you can call him "daddy".

Day 64 of 365, Headless Photog Geek & BREC Botanical Gardens

Day 64 of 365, I think I will caption this one, "Headless Photog lives to shoot again". :) I went to Train Station Park for a quick self portrait.  I am reading Vic Orenstein's book about photographing children.  I am super excited that soon, I will get the chance to photograph some of the cutest kids!  I met Brandi H. and her two little ones in the grocery store parking lot.  Her kids caught my eye.  She was busy trying to get them in the buggy so that she could do her shopping.  Her vehicle was parked next to mine, so when I rounded the vehicle, I noticed her little daughter with crystal blue eyes standing in the bottom of the cart.  Her adorable, charmer of a son was in the baby seat.  They are both gorgeous with a captial G!   I told her that I bet she has some beautiful pics of her little ones.  She said that she would like to have their pics taken.  lalalalalalalal...that was music to my ears!  I told her that I would love to photograph her children.  We exchanged contact information and finally got together to try to schedule a photo session.  As Brandi and I were talking over the phone, I heard her little 18 mo. old rambunctious baby boy in the background.  Then, I heard her say, "Oh no!  He just learned how to climb on the cabinet!"  lol!!!  I didn't have a little boy, but I can definitely imagine what a combination of joy and handful they might be.  

So, I tried a different angle. I can call this one, "Geek, tie your shoe laces." hehee~

I had to go return some books at the Goodwood Branch Library today. So, I decided to visit the BREC Botanical Gardens today. This is a volunteer worked garden project. I could tell that they are beginning to re-work the gardens after the winter season. There were a few flowering plants that I thought were pretty as a picture. So, here they are.

Day 63 of 365, Brandie, Books & Me

These are our book selections for the month of March.  Brandie suggests "A Bargain for Frances" and my featured reading selection is "Amerlia Bedelia".   :)

Brandie and I went to Barnes & Nobles tonight.  Terry went to watch a baseball game and I wanted to go to the book store.  I knew just who to call to ask if she would accompany me, my niece Brandilyn.   Isn't that the prettiest name?  I love it.  Anyway, I knew that she would jump at the chance to go to Barnes & Nobles.  She is a very, well read 10th grader.  When, she picked up an interest in reading somewhere around the 4th grade, I believe, she became an avid little reader.  I am quite impressed with the breadth of literature that she is familiar with.  And, her acquintance with these works are not necessarily from required reading.  Brandie and I have a common love for books.   

As customary and reasonable, one must slide over to the in-house Starbucks to sip a little indulgence, all the while, perusing their new reading material.  Oh, yeah...!  We did a snooty little 'cheers' clink with the bottom edge of our drink cups then slurped it up!  She ordered a Venti Mocha Frappa and I had Pomegranate Cherry Juice.  We sat at a table by the window and put our heads together as we read through the 225 Baton Rouge circular.  I noticed the dates are listed for Sunday in the Park beginning April 11.  yay!  I am planning to go to some of those concerts in the park. 

We finished our drinks and decided to make one last swing through the store.  Then, I remembered that I had my little Panasonic Lumix point & shoot in my purse.  Of course, immediate ideas popped in my head, I would say,..."hey Brandie, go over here.. go over there..."  She is such a good sport!  Instead of Where's Waldo?  We can play Where's Brandie?

Thanks to my sweet niece for coming to B&N with me and being such a great book buddy.

the Karmyn and me

Karmyn and I went to lunch at a new little Mexican Restaurant.  We were seated next the the bar to our left.  She looked over and said, "Goll, look at all those bottles!"  I laughed.   

As soon as I whipped out the p & s, I get, "Talk to the hand!"

But, when the fajitas came out  sizzling, I got this...  :) ...!!!

Can you hear it and smell it now?  Yummmmm, yum.