Back to casual

I am going to my hubby's work party. It is at a fancy conference center, lots of food, free gambling for tickets to be used in a lottery type of giveaway of some cool stuff. His work has been doing very well. It wasn't like this 5 years ago. They cut back all the parties & fluff. Now- the solar industry is doing well. Viola! We have a party! This is quite the contrast to my potluck work party in a pole barn. Mine was fun and down to earth but his work really spoils people well.

I missed last year's party due to my grandfather's funeral. So I was really excited for this. Get my little black dress out, heels, pearls, time to primp.

Yesterday, I was informed the theme is "sports" in honor of the superbowl. Yuck! So it looks like I'll throw on my red wing hockey jersey (how NOT flattering) and jeans. Maybe I'll sneak off to the sport store and see what they have. I did joke that maybe a Dallas Cheerleader outfit- Yes a joke. Those of you that know me - know I couldn't do it! No matter how much money you were offering...

Paper

Second assignment for this class was "paper".

Titled: Enlightened

One son said "Take pictures of origami animals." I looked at the crew and asked who can actually make something other than paper airplanes. There wasn't any response.

Second son thought pictures of burning paper would be "cool."
Since I had to have my hands on the camera, I wasn't comfortable with fire in the young'n hands. I know crazy parent- never any fun.

Husband said mentioned the recycling center. I looked at him with my favorite "dumb" looks because it was a good idea!

Here is what I have for class:

Titled: Plastic to go


Titled: Collage

Photo Class

I signed up for a photography class. It is called Right brain photography. Our instructor seems really good at this. He has been teaching at many area colleges and still keeps a full time job as a scientist. I think that is what peaked my interest besides the need for some challenging fun with my hobby.


I had my first class last week. There are only 7 of us. Three teens and two middle age men and another women a bit older than me. Our instructor doesn't seem to like digital but said two of us can. He said that the benefit of digital is self gratification. Uh - yeah- I agreed plus trying to get a picture of active boys - I want to know I got the memory in some form.

We were told to find a photographer we liked and find one with our similar style. Our first photographic assignment was "Eggs." Interpret as you like but pay attention to the lighting he said.
I like people pictures- expressions and something to bring people out. He is preferring we do studio work to be reproducible. I didn't get moved by this topic. I have attached a few. I had to doctor them in photoshop. These are not favorites (thank goodness for digital to delete later). I did try to get my son to drop the egg and I wanted to get it just as it was cracking on the plate. In my head it looked lovely. after a dozen eggs - it wasn't working. Timing, speed of camera. I do have a digital SLR, but still sometimes slow. Mostly caused by my lack of patience and interest. We gave up.


I hope for something else tonight. We have to share our pictures. This is hard for me. I can put my work online but then I don't have to see if you liked them or not.
Another assignment was to read the camera manual. Tonight is my class, I have pictures and a photographer but only a part of the manual( Very dry...). Just not really enough time.

Strange But True

I came across some tid bits to share...

A car uses 1.6 oz of gas idling for one minute. Half an ounce is used to start the average car!

It is estimated that 4 million "junk" telephone calls, phone solicitations by persons or programmed machine are made every day in the United states!
(I'd say at least 20 a week at my house)

It takes glass one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out & can be recycled an infinite amount of times.

Forest fires move faster uphil than downhill.

Most lipstick contains fish scales. (ARGH! YUCK!)

Skepticism is the longest word that alternates hands when typing. (Yep.. I just confirmed that)

Over 2500 left handed people are killed from using products made for right handed people! (Now what "products" are we talking about????)

Just for fun- yeah - I'm a geek ....

Not a light switch...

This seems like a dumb post but I have to get it out. I am not a light switch. I cannot turn my emotions on and off like that.

How many times have you told to forget about it? I try & try but I still think about it.

How many times have you been told to stop worrying? I try & try but I can't seem to think about it.

How many times have you been told to cheer up? I try & try but I still feel down.

How many times have you been told to be patient? I try & try but I am still anxious.

Ok - now these are well meaning people. I want people to be happy or get them to feel better TOO - but all my self talk, inspirational poems, good advice from friends- it just takes some TIME to move on.

I have trouble putting up a good front, I am the lousiest card player- if I have good cards - I'm in. If I am not sure, risky cards, or bad cards - I fold. There is no bluffing with me, that's for sure. So you will be able to read my emotions right away. My body language will give it away. I do like the phrase - what you see is what you get.

Time can be a postive. I appear to have alot more of it lately too. Time to finally view the situation differently. If I avoid it - it festers- not helpful. You also have to have an open mind before actually trying to take a look at the other side.

Soooooo what is the point to this? I am not sure. For my friends & family I've kept in the dark lately...Just be patient with me:) I think I operate more as a dimmer switch.....

Sugar OD 101

Too much sugar in the house. I am so slothly... I need to move... I was Xcountry skiing before the holiday but my present was new boots. They don't fit so now I am not doing much.

I was going to swear off sugar today but we are going to a neighborhood party & I am in charge of kids dessert...I am baking choc cookies right now. I can't resist the dough.

We went & hung out with my sister & her family on New year's eve. Had some good laughs, good wine & good company.

We took the kids tubing earlier in the day & then a movie. We wanted to "tire them out" - who were we kidding? They were exhausted by 11 but they fought us all to stay & watch the ball fall. Then came the horns & then the dancing & then the tripping & falling over each other becasue "they were not tired". Off to bed by 12:30. I was feeling so " merry" until I had to become the parent again. Talk got serious by 1 am & fell asleep on the granite by 1:30.

Ready for 2008 - fresh start- going to make those resolutions- uhm...tomorrow when I get rid of the headache.

I got this from another blog - but oh so fitting. This was an ad in a 1965 issue of LIFE magazine.
Enjoy & Happy new year!


I started this before New years & finished it on New years day. I didn't change the date.

DOG TO A NEW HOME

First look at the pictures....

The CRIME....



The CULPRIT...


In trying to keep up with some holiday traditions, we made cookies. I am a bit busy so I bought those slice & bake ones. See kids decorated and we had cookies for Santa- Viola!
Well, this morning apparently the dog got up first and took care of some of them!
My fault for leaving them on the table - but this is the first time she EVER has taken food off the table. Usually we don't leave food on the table - hmmm. I did worry about her sugar intake- so outside she goes until we see the effects....

PS WE still love her and wouldn't get rid of her...The kids were worried that I was selling her on ebay:)