Life is Fragile, Handle with Care

Recently, I heard about a girl (now forever 18) who was killed in a car wreck.  Her name was Jessica and she played on Karmyn's softball team.  They played together when she and Karmyn were in the u-14 class.  That would be the age group of 13-14 year olds.  When Jessica passed away, she was attending college on a softball scholarship I think.  I have to admit that Karmyn played with so many wonderful girls but after we all moved on, I lost touch.  So, I do not know what is going in their lives anymore.  I wanted to share with you something that, perhaps, only 3 people in the world ever knew about until now. 

I remember during Softball Nationals in Owensboro, KY, the girls wanted to hold a bible study.  The leader of this idea was a wonderful, well rounded girl named Brittany G.  She had asked permission from the Drury Inn help desk if they could occupy the conference room.  The hotel did, indeed, have a conference room available and Brittany led the bible study for the night.  I sat in the room as strictly an observer without a peep.  My heart could not have been prouder of these girls.  On their own, they took such a mature and outstanding initiative. 

After the study, they went along their way.  I remember that somehow Jessica had wanted to talk to me about 'spiritual' things.   She thought it was curious that numerous times people were talking to her about the subject recently.  Also, there were some doubts and questions that she had swirling in her mind.  I really do not know how she and I came together to talk about it.  But, somehow,  as it happened, I found myself, Jessica and Karmyn sitting in the empty stairwell of the hotel discussing faith and religion.  To date, I am not sure how the rest of Jessica's spiritual life unfolded.  What I am sure of though is this, Jessica's heart and soul were open to communicating with God that night as we prayed.  Just the three of us were physically praying together on the bottom metal step of the hotel stairwell.   But, I do have faith to believe that we were not only 3 in attendance.  I know that God was with us there as our tears and prayers were lifted up.  I hope that Jessica is with Him today in heaven.

Day 128 of 365, A good Steam Cleaning

Well, well, well!  Happy Monday Yall!  Ok, so can I vent a little?  See that Shark Steam Mop?  Oh my gosh!  Remember, a couple posts ago I shared our new bambino with you?  Yeah, Bellie Belle is her name.  Poopin' and Peepin' is her game.  Uh, huh...you got it! 

She is just about to drive me out of my ever lovin' mind with all the BIZ!  Also, remember how my youngest daughter bought her from SPCA at Petco and smuggled her in and hid her away until the next morning because she didn't know how I would react.  Then, when I did meet her the next morning all warm and sweet and baby puppyish....how could I deny?  She was such an itsy bitsy, preshy, cuddly wuddly, iddle baby puppy?  How could I deny?  I couldn't and I didn't.  So, she became part of the family.  We goo goo'd and ga ga'd over her and instantly fell in love.  Why do baby puppies make you talk (or type)  funny?  Flash forward to today.  She is around 10 weeks old and just about to wear me out!  

I have never been able to tolerate the thought of my having a dog in the house.  Don't get me wrong, I can go to other people's house with dogs and that is perfectly fine.  I think nothing of it.  But, for myself, I have always been dead set against having dogs inside.  Then, Kayla asked me a couple years ago if she could buy a dog.  I think mostly she liked the idea of carrying it around in the doggy purse like Legally Blonde or Paris Hilton.  Goodness, gracious I could picture it too....At any rate, my resistance was starting to wain.  A few weeks went by and she found one for sale on the internet that she immediately knew was 'her' puppy.   She put the deposit down and had to wait until it was old enough to come home.  During that time, I had a running list of 'what it better not do's'.  Such as, "It better not stink up my house.  It better not be all yappy!  It better not cost me one thin dime.  It better not change my lifestyle one IOTA!  It better not lick on me."  And here is the one that I kept inside, "It better not make me like it."  So, there!  I didn't want to hear it, smell it, or know that it was around.  Hummmph!

If you have been following my earlier posts, you will see a little dog named Mia.  She is Kayla's dog and  the very one that I didn't want to change my lifestyle!  What I didn't know then?  I didn't know that when Mia got a stomach ache, I would be the one to rush her to the animal hospital like she was a sick child.  I didn't know that when I came home, I was going to be greeted by 10,000 toe licks and be able to tolerate it.  I didn't know that I was going to be making her a doggy coat because we had her shedding hair shaved and she couldn't stop shivering.  I didn't know that I would ever actually call her to come take a nap with me.  I didn't know that she would become a constant companion.  For goodness sakes, I didn't know that it would end up this way.   Treachourous, I say!  Now, here comes number two! 

Bella aka Bellie Belle

This is her face when she thinks she is in trouble.  Seriously!

As I type this, I am waiting for the floors to dry because I used both the traditional mop and the steam mop.  Here we go again!  I am going to have to tolerate another one of those little monsters being forced on me!   Why didn't I learn with the first one?  I guess I need to be even more specific next time when I say,  "It better not...".  A few mornings ago, I had fallen back asleep in the big chair in the living room.  I could feel someone standing near.  I opened my eyes and Karmyn was standing there with her head bent around the side of the chair watching me wake up.  I realized that I had been  napping with Mia in her usual hemmed in position between my hip and side of the chair.  Then, there was Bellie Belle.  She had gradually made her way up to perch herself around my neck somehow.  Karmyn laughed at this scenario.  She said, "Mama, you look like a dog lady."  grrrrrrr....That is exactly what I always never wanted to be.....

Day 126 of 365, represents me-Backyard Barefootin'

When I began to carry my camera around with me non-stop, I remember my oldest daughter's words to me, "Oh, no Mom. I can just picture it. You are going to start wearing those long tye-dye skirts and hippie shoes and start gettin' all weird." I laughed because I know how she thinks. To me, that was hilarious because she has a Certain Idea about what a female photographer looks like. When I found this skirt last summer at a rock bottom price, I picked it up because I wanted to play a joke on her one day.  I forgot and it sat in the bag until this morning.   Actually, it still has the tags attached as I sit for this self - timer Self Portrait.  We were challenged this morning to capture images that tell something about who you are.  I began thinking about what represents me.  My daily routine is to sit outside first thing in the morning and let the doggies play.  I always carry my morning pages journal with me.  I enjoy listening to the birds sing to me as I write.  The dogs stretch and play for a bit.  Then, tickle my ankles with their fur as they brush against me while playing under my chair.  I appreciate the peacefulness of our early morning routine.

As for Kayla's idea about what a female photog looks like...the truth is, I have somewhat become, I suppose, a rendition of the original image that she had.  How did she say that?,... 'getting all weird'?  hehee!...Actually, I might not dress any differently than I did prior to my photography habit but I do look at things in a much more artistic way now.  Rest assured, Kayla,  "I am still very much...JUST ME." So the image above minus the tye-dye is the real me.....Backyard Barefootin'. I started to re-take because you could see the dirt stuck to the bottom of my foot. Then, said, "NAH!" I was going for 'real me'.  Oh, I think I'll have to wear this skirt more often.  It is soooo comfortable.  Now, where are my hippie shoes?

Uploaded both pics above for Daily Photo Challenge, Subject: Something the represents you, May 15, 2010

What a mess of wires!  Crazy, huh? uh, well...this looks like major confusion to me. Yes, I must admit, I can be quite a scatterbrain sometimes. My husband calls me ADD Head. oops!  I guess the wires get crossed up in the old noggin now and then.  Big Daddy puts up with my scatterbrained-ness cuz he ain't perfect either ya know.  On to the second pic... when I look at this chair that I found on an outdoor porch of a hometown coffee shop, I like the way that it shows signs of age but still worthy. The reason I chose this to represent me because I want to be a welcoming, dependable, and sturdy friend without any pretense.  I hope to be someone who is inviting and people feel comfortable enough with me to sit a while and visit.

Day 125 of 365, Puppy Tug O' War

Stripes was the Daily Photo Challenge Subject today.  This evening, I noticed this little tiger striped doggy bone laying about the floor.  I decided to walk outside with my camera and the bone and see what happens.  Immediately, they both could not stand the fact that I had THEIR toy.  They started jumping up for it as we walked.  They almost tripped me with their exuberance underfoot.  I knew I was probably going to get a picture.....oh, yeah.  I turned on the camera, set my apperture and tossed it out in front of me.  Immediately, I started a Puppy Tug O' War!  They are hilarious. 

So, meet our newest bambino.  Her name is Bella.  I usually call her Bellie Belle.  Karmyn brought this puppy home and didn't tell me until the next morning.  She saw it at Petco being sold by SPCA and had to have her.   

Bellie Belle is one Bone-ifide Bossie Mossie!  Personality Plus!  We can't help but love her.

Day 124 of 365, I Love the Library!

Daily Photo Challenge Subect for this day is Steps or Stairs.  I was at the library and saw this lonely little sturdy step stool.  I appreciate the timeless, practicality of such a simple convenience.  No telling how many little feet & big feet alike, have stepped up onto this little wooden stool and reached to grab that book from the highest shelf.  Personally, this looks like a convenient place to sit down and browse through the pages of my potential next read.  Awesome! 

The public library is a jewel in the community and well worth paying tax dollars for.  I know that through the years, financially, we have known times of plenty and times of  famine.  I remember, especially, the times when we could not afford to spend lots of dough on entertainment.  Yet, I could always pack up the kids and together enjoy a day field trip to the imagination playground!  I never want to take my public library for granted. 

I think the title of  Dr. Seuss's book sums it up..."Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!"  What do you think?

Day 123 of 365, Wedding View from the French Doors and "Aaaaaat LAAAaaaaast..." by Etta James

Today's Photo Challenge was View From a Window.  Terry's vehicle needs service, so he took mine to work.  I was not able to run around today to find photo opps for the challenge.  I reached back to last summer's wedding images.  I met a very nice elderly gentleman wedding photographer.  At that time, I was contemplating the purchase of a new camera.  He told me that he has been shooting with Nikon since the 50's and has always been happy.  As we continued to talk, he told me that he had a wedding to shoot on Saturday of the upcoming weekend.  Some bells went off in my head.  I asked him if I could help him with the wedding.  In the bargain, I offered to give him all of my files (free) for his mentorship.  Oh, he quickly agreed to that bargain!  After our meeting and conversation, I made the decision to purchase the Nikon that I was thinking about in hopes that he could teach me a thing or two.

On the day of the wedding, I showed up and he was happy to see me.   Wedding photography is fast and furious.  We really didn't get much chance to talk but I learned as I observed.  Soon, I found that I got in the groove of things.  I liken the way that he and I worked together as a sort of dance.  It was very intuitive on both our parts I believe.  Well, I know for me anyway.  As he moved back for wide shots, I moved in for the close ups and vice versa.  This dance continued throughout the entire ceremony, especially.  Of course, I always deferred to him as the head photographer so as not to interfere with his shots.  I did get some valuable pointers and sound advice from him which I have implemented. 

The reception was very nice.  It was a mid-day wedding.  This wonderful family was of a more conservative nature.  I knew that the 'first dance' was about to take place.  First a little backstory:  the couple are both mature professionals who had never been married.  Que the music....Etta James began to sing in that soulful voice, "Aaaaaat LAAAaaaaaast..."  Oh, what a moment as they were looking into each other's eyes and dancing their first dance.  I couln't help myself. I immediatly jumped up on a nearby chair and the former cheerleader in me did a spontaneous fist pump above my head!  No kidding!  The crowd errupted in applause and smiles as they all realized the significance of the song choice.  I captured some gorgeous pics of the happy couple and the beaming crowd behind them.  After all was said and done, I looked behind me and hoped that I had not embarrassed the principle photographer.  He was smiling from ear to ear.  I was relieved and happy that I followed my instincts and hopped onto that chair to capture a once in a lifetime moment for the bride and groom. 

Day 122 of 365, Igniting the artist within...Here's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Photo Challenge Subject today was RED.  Karmyn left this box of matches out on the counter after she lit a candle.  I thought I would try to light up the red box with this little match flame.  When I reviewed the pic, I noticed that the matchstick disappeared.  Cool!  I must have been moving my hand during the exposure time.  This was not intentional but I dig it. I love it when a fluke turns out to be something interesting.

I began to think about how many metaphors for life are described by fire or synonyms of the like. 

Here is my story of why I have a 'fire in my belly' to study, learn and explore my photography interests.  Admiring the work of others, helps  'fan the flame' of my passion for this art medium.  I remember the moment of the initial 'spark'.  One day, I was 'feverishly' perusing the internet wedding photography websites.  I came across an image of tears 'burning' in the eyes of a bride as she hugged her dad.  Her 'hottie' of a groom was looking on with a look of compassion on his face.  This was the image that 'ignited' my artist within.  In a 'flash', I could read the beautiful story that one simple image captured.  With one click that 'fires' the trigger, the LIFE button was paused and released.   That particular and irretrievable Window In Time is 'illuminated' forever in a photograph to be treasured for a lifetime.  Yes, I recall the moment the 'torch' was lit in my heart. 

So, now you know how the 'eternal flame' of my desire for photography began. 

That's The Truth Y'all!

My truth that I just told in my little story was back in the fall of 2008.  During this time frame, I found myself pretty lonesome for my 2 little constant companions.  My daughters were both attending college.  This was the first semester for my youngest.  So you see, that is when I began to feel the effects of empty nest syndrome.  I was looking for a hobby or interest.  The image that I mentioned of the bride really struck an emotional chord with me.  As I stared into the scene on my computer monitor, I noticed that crocodile tears were literally rolling down and splashing off my cheeks to match the rolling tears of the bride.  I decided to purchase my first dslr.  I have a long habit and history of starting an interest and dropping it soon after.  Therefore, I wanted to be conservative.  I decided to purchase an entry level camera from ebay.  When I received it, I volunteered to capture images of my Aunt's wedding that very weekend!  I didn't know what I was doing so, AUTO was the only function for me.  I had a blast and remember specifically, my cousin came up and exclaimed, "I didn't know you knew how to do that!"  (wedding photography) hahahaha.  Laughingly, I replied,  "I don't!"  It felt good though.  I had so much fun, snap, snap, snapping the night away!

I have never done any marketing or advertisement and somehow, suddenly, and most unexpectantly I have become a wedding photographer!  How ironically fitting that my inspiration is becoming my reality.  If you would like to view my most recent Wedding Engagement Photo Shoot, you are welcomed to go to:  http://michellesibley.smugmug.com/