My lens....

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a camera.  Maybe a couple cameras.  Maybe more than I needed.  And as a result, i have boxes, shelves, hard drives, Dropbox, Cloud, blah blah blah full of my memories.

My children have grown up around cameras and even when they didn't want to smile, they did.  They knew you just DO IT.

My children have also all had a camera or two with the most recent being Cierra who asked for her own DSLR for Christmas.  Next came the trendy bag.  And then pictures.  all kinds of pictures.  Mostly of the princess Kayden and her cheer competitions but she truly does love her camera.

When I saw that our fav photography studio was holding a course to better understand your camera, I thought Cierra might be interested and I was right.

The class was last Sunday.  After a late night, she was up early, dressed and grabbed her bag then out the door.

After the class, she came home and was excited to tell me what she had learned.  I LOVE it!  It really does make me happy to see her as excited about a camera and taking/making pictures as I am.

Today the class was featured on the Tiptoe Blog - click HERE to read more about it and see the participants.  I heard they took some 'head shots' so check back, I will be sure to post.

Spring Break is upon us!

And it's time for some BASEBALL!  Our first stop will be here -

Two games in two days then off to Sunny, WARM, Myrtle Beach.  YAY!

Where someone else's home becomes ours for a week.  

Where rocking on the porch drinking my coffee and being at the ballfield on time will be our only priorities.

Yep....BRING it on!

Very excited to see these guys play some ball - and hoping I won't be bundled up in a coat and gloves and blanket =)

Our first....

but I'm sure this will be an annual event now.  We had a blast!

We bought two extra tickets -

we checked out the Silent Auction items (and started the bids going =)

We watched one of the Dad's push this Cheers cart around boosting tickets sales, lol

We played a few 'tips' -

And had quite a few holders quite a few times!

Finally winning $50 from one of them.

We listened for our numbers to be eliminated or win a prize (and be eliminated)

we even one four tickets to the Seven Springs Wing and Rib fest - but ended up swapping them out for this, LOVE it...

Then we won a $25 Pappa Johns gift card - but ended up swapping that out for Applebees - Love the trading idea.

We did finally get eliminated but not until there was less than 60 remaining.  Not too bad for our first time and only 4 tickets out of 400.  I didn't understand how it worked but the ten remaining numbers came up front -

and it all came down to one winner.  It was interesting though that as they eliminated, the remaining could chose to split or not.  When it was down to 2 or 3, they opted to split.  Pretty fun to be a part of this awesome event.

Oh and the silent auction items?  Well, we won two -

A cute basket filled with gift cards - and to some of our fav places...

A one day course at BSR (Summit Point Raceway) for Accident Avoidance Highway Safety.  Invaluable training in how to handle the emergency highway situations that just precede accidents - skidding, off road recovery, swerving to avoid objects, etc.  Hands-on training in normal cars, on real roads at highway speeds.  I was so excited.  I wanted to send Chase and Cierra through this but it was a just a little too expensive.  Now we have this certificate and Ronnie has one already so they BOTH get to go.  Awesome!

I'd say it was a pretty fun night with lots of good prizes and LOTS of money to support the Tsunami Softball team.  Love that!

It's all about the calories.....

maybe.

I am very conscientious of my calorie count during the day.  I kinda fail at dinner time but breakfast and lunch matter.

For a few years now I have become a huge fan of Special K.  Their 100 calorie breakfast bars that come in Strawberry, Blueberry and a few other flavors were my Monday - Friday 'go to'.

Recently Belvita moved into the top position -

I love the Blueberry but have come to like the Chocolate and Cinnamon.  Costco even sells the big box. They are higher in calories but good for protein and energy so I was ok with the change.

And then came the Special K Hot Cereal.  YUM.

Ok, so it's 190 calories but soo good.  Good enough to alternate with my Belvita, ha!

When lunch time comes, I am a fan of Lien Cuisine and Smart Choice.  Costco even has them in 8 packs which is really cheap.  And best of all, they are all really good.

What's your favorite breakfast and lunches?!

Now if I could just exercise in combination with my healthy 'day time' eating habits, I may just lose some of these extra 'winter' pounds.  The struggle is real =)

Riding season....

Yay!  It's right around the corner!  I am so excited this year especially since I have my own bike.  

I have been asking Ronnie to get on his schedule to install my side bags and luggage rack/bag so hopefully that will be soon.  

Speaking of riding, who wouldn't love to win this?!

The JHS Baseball Boosters is raffling off this beautiful bike.  Only 1000 tickets sold and the drawing is in December - 

Let me know if you want a ticket!  Can't win if you don't play =)

Oprah's gift list?!

I'm sure NOT but it really SHOULD be.  This little, cheap, awesome item has become my daily favorite!

Sounds silly, huh?  Well I LOVE, LOVE pedicures but obviously need to limit myself to twice a month due to the expense =)   One time I went with Cierra to 'her' place and they 'gave' me my sponge to keep LOL

So I've used it and like it but it's wearing out.  During my recent Walmart trip, I strolled down the 'foot' isle and found the Pedi-scrub.

It. is. awesome.  without a doubt.  - I use it every night.  The soft side first to 'buff' my feet -

then the rough side for the scrubbing.  It lathers on it's own and says it lasts for 20 washes.  Knowing how much I love this thing, I have to pick up some to keep on hand just in case one night it decides to not lather =)

Just think if this was on Oprah's gift list the taxes would be cheap and you wouldn't even have to get a 'winning' form - it's less than $5 - hehe

I did 'get out of dodge' and will beat the snow - but not intentionally.... LOL.

The weather looks like this -

while I'm 900 miles away, eating pizza in bed -

and looking at the city that is still very much awake.

I definitely wish I was in my recliner, wrapped up in the blanket watching tv with the wood stove burning warm behind me but....that's not an option this week.  Lots to do in Minneapolis so off I go =)

Learn EVERY day.

Something I try to do is learn something every day.  Even if it's some simple technique with scrapbooking or photography.  But these two things are just a little different =)

First,

Notice anything different about the bottoms of these two green peppers?  Well I had no idea but...one has four bumps and one has three AND evidently this means something, lol.

The ones with four bumps are females and those with only three are males.  The female peppers are full of seeds but sweeter (go figure, lol)  and better for eating raw.  The male peppers all in all, are better for cooking.  Interesting....very interesting.  When I was in the grocery store, it was hard to find a male.  =)

And then the grand finale' -

Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation's history.

Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our 'GOD GIVEN' rights and freedoms.

I hope you take the time to read this ... To understand what the flag draped coffin really means ... Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'

The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in Christians' eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nation's motto, 'In God We Trust.'

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jon es, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.
In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.
Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of ' Liberty and Freedom.'

Maybe you learned something too.

National Pancake Day!

That's today.  And I LOVE pancakes (along with a few others in my family).  We won't be joining the many at iHop but will be eating at home tonight.  Yay.....some coffee, OJ, pancakes, eggs and hopefully some fresh bacon (If Ronnie makes the stop, ha).

But I do have something even better to share.  Yesterday was Dr. Seuss day and who was the absolutely cutest, most adorable Cat in the Hat?!

Just too much!  All day I kept seeing these cute little quotes from the Dr. Seuss books -

Fun, simple, innocent times......gotta love it.

PhotoWise

I try but I admit my thousands and thousands of photos are on 3 hard drives, in boxes, in photo albums, in baggies.  BUT, all in the same room (except the computers).  I have looked into a few different options but never really seem to find that perfect spot to organize one way.

Well folks, yesterday I took the challenge - I just stumbled upon this and it's FREE so why not try?

Here's the LINK if you are interested as well.  I'll try to keep you posted on my progress =)  Wish me luck, ha!

No.... Say it isn't so!

I am   S. I. C. K.   of    S. N. O. W.

This has been the coldest winter in a while with more 'weather' than normal.  Baseball season is coming -   Right?  Well look at the field -

They do say something about red birds are sent from heaven so I do like watching them out the window.

And when it looks like this outside -

WHO doesn't want a warm piece of cake?!  

So here it is Sunday again with yucky weather.  I wonder what Cinderella is going to whip up for us today?