See you in the morning

Horse Camp July 6-10th, 2009

2009-07-11T09:34:00.006-05:00

First ever horse camp where CeeCee rides. She absolutely loved it and I was totally amazed at how much she has learned through this first year of riding and even more - how much she learned this week. The horse that she rode was abused by his first owner and so he can be a little bit touchy. CeeCee won the gentle soul award for being able to work so well with him and have him totally fall in love with her. He doesn't always trust people which is understandable and he let her do more with him than even her teacher thought. You can sometimes look at him and it appears he is crying. Really quite sad.

New Friend

2009-06-06T08:33:00.004-05:00

Enough said....

Boys will be Boys

2009-04-30T18:06:00.003-05:00

This pasture was loaded with stallions trying to show off for the mares in the next pasture over. It sure is that time of year for them to want to procreate.

Lessons Learned

2009-04-29T17:36:00.005-05:00

This face: Man we love this big guy.

This is "J" - CeeCee's favorite horse to ride for lessons. He's the alpha male of the stables. Beautiful horse, they had a great lesson on Monday and were just finishing up. Her helper "D" was leading J into his stall when his saddle got caught on the gate. J panicked and started to pull away, CeeCee saw this so she was able to back away. J ended up falling while pulling the stall down on top of himself and D. J then got up and took off with the stall stuck to his saddle and his feet. He finally broke away from it after running halfway across the barn, he then ran out to his pasture.

D was cut on the back of his head and on his hands. He needed 4 stitches but was feeling fine the next day. One other helper was injured as well when some of the stall came up and hit her on her ribs.

J has some cuts on his legs from the stall along with a little swollen neck but should be ok. He will be seeing the massage therapist on Friday and has been pretty pampered for this whole week.

Lot's of lessons learned here for everyone involved. I'm thankful that there were few people in the barn at the time as more could have been hurt and J could have been much more spooked. They've instituted some changes in the barn that will help everyone. It's great to put into perspective the size of these animals and the importance of paying attention to all of our surroundings.

We're so glad that the injuries were few and that everyone will be ok. CeeCee and I went back to see J yesterday as I want to make sure she is not scared of him and hopefully, he will be ok to do her next lesson in two weeks.

Sedona to Flagstaff Snowstorm

2009-04-22T12:07:00.007-05:00

We should have known upon waking up that the weather was not going to cooperate. We left Sedona nice and early to a foggy cold day. The clouds were rolling off the Red Rocks. Driving up Oak Creek Canyon (89A) - I was riding shotgun. I to that point had never been so scared while riding in a car. We were on a two lane road driving through Oak Creek - the 28miles to Flagstaff. It started raining/trying to snow while we were still in Sedona. As we left Sedona and were admiring the beauty of Oak Creek Canyon - I started to notice that the cars coming from the other direction were a bit layered with snow. Sure enough the snow started coming and we kept climbing up, up, up the canyon. Now my pics don't quite do it justice as I was a bit afraid to look out my side window but I did try to capture what was below us. It was hard though as the fog/snow was everywhere.

The last pic is looking back towards what we had just driven through. I swear that snowcloud followed us the whole way to Page, AZ that day. We even saw a row of hills that only one part of had been hit by snow and out on the road had been a pretty bad accident involving a car, a pick-up truck and a U-Haul truck. We missed most of it and I tried not to take too many pics - just the U-Haul upside down. They said the pick-up truck had the whole front end smashed in (I didn't see that).

Just one more experience with the weather that we had on our trip to Arizona.

Antelope Canyon - Page, AZ

2009-04-17T15:12:00.007-05:00

This is Antelope Canyon, just south of Page, AZ. The first shots are of getting into the canyon. It was pretty amazing. P and I were able to go in with a photographers' pass and able to stay for up to 4 hours. It's about a mile long walk through the canyon. No real strenuous hiking involved. We chose to do lower Antelope as there were less people and it was just a little bit harder. There are no ladders or steps involved on upper Antelope.

It's best to go during the noon hours on a sunny day to get the good sunrays through the canyon. I'm not going to say much about the thousands (millions) of ugly catepillars that were in there - ugghhh...don't want to think about them. Overall, this might have been the best tourist spot of my vacation.

FaceBook

2009-03-05T18:59:00.002-06:00

So we have been a bit busy and well, I truly just didn't have much to talk or post about. It has been a long winter and I'm just over it. I did have to join facebook for my class reunion info and so, here is a picture that I just added. Yep, it's my Kindergarten picture. There are actually quite a few kids in the picture that I did end up graduating with. It's funny to see us all.

Busy Panning

2008-08-13T15:57:00.002-05:00

I wanted to learn panning before going to the State Fair next week so I could do some cool ride shots. The first shot - well it was the best I could do with CeeCee riding her bike. Then I worked on it a little more and found some tips on the internet and it's working much better. Of course, now she's sick and so I can't get her to ride her bike anymore.

It has been really busy around here lately. I had my first weekend of the play that I was in last weekend. It went better than I thought it would. Work is also real busy with vacations this week and next. We'll make it through but it adds a lot to my responsibilities there and I feel like I take too much on. Oh, well, I only have to make it through this week and next and then I get a week off before Labor Day.

Puppy

2008-07-21T16:13:00.003-05:00

Finally - we got to see the new guy this weekend. He's so cute. Although a little attached to my brother. He really liked the tennisball though. As of his vet appt today he weighs in @ 45.6lbs and he's four months old. I'm thinking he's going to be a monster....just kidding.

It was another nice hot weekend with a big downpour in the afternoon on Saturday, we got just about .70 of rain in about a half hour. It was long overdue however, could have been just a nice slow rain that could soak into the soil.

Storms

2008-07-11T08:32:00.003-05:00

I thought Tornado season was over for the year. These are the clouds that rolled through yesterday afternoon that spawned two tornadoes in the southern metro area. Quite beautiful but a little scary looking. I only ran into some high winds, cloud/ground lightning and lots of rain. I didn't see any trees down or hail thankfully. The only injury I had heard of was of a roofer that got struck by lightning.

I've been on vacation this week and have many pictures to post but was waiting for the weekend to go through them all.

Falcon

2008-06-26T12:13:00.003-05:00

I see them almost daily (or hear them) although, they don't sit still long enough for me to get a good picture of them and now with all of the leaves in the trees it's really hard to find them. I still haven't figured out which tree their nest is in. I suspect it's one of the oaks in the park behind us. This one finally flew in and landed on one of the dead branches in our oak tree in the back yard and stayed long enough for some pictures of him before he took off. I still think it's a Sharp Shinned. Not sure though.

Another Stormy Saturday

2008-06-22T11:23:00.004-05:00

We were at my sister's house yesterday to try to figure out some problems with her deck. It was a nice warm day and then around dinnertime this fast moving mild storm moved in. She lives up high looking over her town so got some great shots of the storm moving in and out quickly. The double rainbow looked like it ended right at the primary school. It really barely rained and the sun was literally out on one side of the house and it was raining on the other side so we knew the rainbow was going to be big. It was quite stunning.

The top two pictures are looking west as the storm was moving in.

The next shot is looking east as the storm was moving overhead toward town.

The rainbows.

And the last two shots are of the storm as it rolls over town at sunset with some great colors.

This week

2008-06-14T06:29:00.003-05:00

Has been about flowers, and rain, and tired 8 yr olds. My peonies finally opened this week. So pretty. I saw a news report that they are blooming really late this year due to the late/long spring. They said that they will probably be open until the 4th of July. Works for me.

I think it rained almost every day, we're supposed to have spotty showers this weekend and then I believe a dry week coming up - yay.

CeeCee had the play last weekend and this weekend. Thankfully, the kids are all done with school. Then this week she started the school daycare program and came home tired everynight. Monday she came home and said "we ran all day long", Tuesday it was "I'm tired, can I go to bed now?" at 6:00, Wednesday - she practically fell asleep on the couch at 6:00, Thursday was a little better and Friday - she had her play again so I didn't hear about being tired. I'm sure they'll get into the swing of it and she will build up her tolerance for all of the activities that they have them doing during the day.

I have been asked to be in the summer play at Palmer Lake - this will be interesting. I have never been in a play in m life. We do a run through of our lines today. One of the other moms is in it as well as some of the teenagers and their teacher. I think it will be fun and I'm looking for a way to get credit for it at work - you know like some sort of credit for public speaking. I'm sure I'll figure it out.

CeeCee Play Pics

2008-06-10T16:31:00.006-05:00

All pics of CeeCee from Saturday's show. I'm not using any shots of the other kids in the play as I have not asked permission from their parents to put them up on here. I was able to sit and watch the whole show on Saturday - it's really one of their best shows. So cute. We have one more weekend to get through and then she will be off for a month until the summer camp. I will also be helping out with the summer adult show that will be in August - I believe running the lights and sound. It's a really great theatre and all of the kids are so awesome. Hopefully, all will be returning in the fall again.

Staged Demolishment

2008-06-08T10:16:00.002-05:00

Our local fire department staged a training burn yesterday on at least one of a cluster of apartment buildings that have been plagued by criminal problems for years, at least one other fire that I can remember and then they had to be evacuated due to asbestos. Saturday - they burned the first one down. Not sure what they will be doing with the property but it is located right next to a golf course so hopefully the owners of the golf course will take it over.

We had a similar situation right behind our house over the past year/two years. There were four buildings that were real problems in the neighborhood - criminal problems, mean kids, etc. The city finally purchased all of the buildings and last year demolished three of them after the police department used them for training purposes. It has been so nice. Last year - the remaining building was purchased. One afternoon/evening someone went in and stole copper from inside the building (plumbing copper) - they hit a gas line and the building exploded. It was quite scary (the building is a half block away from our home.

Finally, last week that last building was torn down. The local airport would not let them do any training burns as the building is in the landing/takeoff path of planes. As of right now, the city will be putting in a drainage pond back there so, we will no longer have any neighbors behind us.

We are in the middle of CeeCee's summer play right now, it's going well but tiring. Thankfully, all of the kids are out of school so, they can get lot's of rest.

Bracing for the next storm

2008-06-05T16:53:00.003-05:00

We just had a bunch of nickel size hail, lot's of rain and lightning/thunder roll through. Now we wait for the really bad stuff that is predicted for after dark.

We have a dress rehearsal tonight for the next play that runs this weekend and next weekend. I told my sister to call me if any bad storms are on the way as the theatre is kind of hidden in the woods and you really can't see anything. It's also near the Mississippi river which typically draws the bad stuff.

CeeCee is quite scared of storms ever since the storm in September, 2005 which we had bad winds and many trees down in the neighborhood. I on the other hand want my next hobby to become a storm chaser.

This week's storms

2008-06-01T09:24:00.006-05:00

We had another round of storms yesterday. It started out as a beautiful day, the Eagles were soaring over my sisters' house. Then the storm rolled in. No tornadoes, the hail started first, then the rain, then the rainbow and pretty sunset. After that I went out for the Light Trails shoot and back to the fire. Today plans to be a beautiful day with no storms. Next week is our next play so will be pretty busy this week.

Martin Sabo Bridge

2008-05-27T08:17:00.004-05:00

We went down to the Martin Sabo Pedestrian/Bicycle bridge this weekend. It's really a sight to see at night although they only had half the blue lights on. It was fun until my nieces and CeeCee found the bum below sleeping. Then they were pushing to get out of there. I worked with the tripod for some light train shots. A group host on Red Bubble has given me some good feedback on what I did and how to further work on it. I will try to get out later this week and do some more of the light trail shots just not over Hiawatha Ave. in South Minneapolis.

May Photoshoot and update

2008-05-23T16:50:00.003-05:00

Some pictures that I took yesterday. She's better - it seems to have passed. Still not sure what was going on.

I passed my test that I took last month - yay me. That was the final item that I needed to have completed in order to be promoted next year. And it was on my goal for this year so, I can check that off the list. Now I just need to wait until next spring. Again, yay me....

See ya in the morning....

The disease....

2008-05-21T18:42:00.002-05:00

Has progressed. We're still not sure what is going on - testing has come up with nothing. Now she just looked at me and showed me this. It was some white cold creamy substance on her tongue.

I think we have some new disease brewing.....

See ya in the morning....

Quarantined

2008-05-20T18:37:00.002-05:00

She woke up this morning and showed me this - ugggghhhh.....what is wrong with her? Some rare disease. Funny, she doesn't feel ill. I just don't know what it could be. She just showed me it now and it's still pink. I guess we will have to go to the hospital.

Sunset last night

2008-05-17T06:46:00.000-05:00

Minnehaha Falls

2008-05-14T18:49:00.003-05:00

Taken 05/10/08. I went to Minnehaha Falls after leaving the Lake Harriet area. The falls are running really hard right now with all of the rain that we've had this spring. I believe that the state has indicated that they may need to shut down the area to do some repairs. It really is very pretty down there. I haven't been there since the early 1990's. I was doing all of these pictures by myself as CeeCee was at her drama class for 4 hours of rehearsal time. Sunday after we did the Race for the Cure - CeeCee, JW and I went back down to the Falls for some more picture taking. I didn't take into account that it was Mother's day and a very nice sunny day at that so, there were many more people there. Will post the pics from Sunday in my next post - I don't think they are as good as the ones I took on Saturday - probably because there were more people there so it was hard to shoot around the people and the clouds from Saturday made for better lighting.

I'm feeling a little dumb right now - CeeCee had her Track and Field day today and I forgot my camera - bad mama....

See ya in the morning!!

Lake Harriet and Lyndale Park Gardens

2008-05-12T16:11:00.006-05:00

I spent Saturday morning and mid-afternoon at Lake Harriet and the Lyndale Peace gardens. It was quite beautiful. The birds were chirping away. Although it was cloudy outside, it was good weather to take pictures in. Here are just a few of the pictures that I took.

Happy Mother's Day - Walking for a Cure

2008-05-11T18:31:00.004-05:00

Mother's Day. My mom first had Breast Cancer when I was in high school (a long time ago). She had it in her left breast at that time. They did a mastectomy and that was all. She was in her 50's. Then she had a new primary tumor found when she was in her 70's in her right breast. She was deemed unsuitable to do surgery or chemo/radiation at that time due to her heart condition so her only form of treatment was with Tamoxifen. Her doctor stated that her heart was in such poor shape that she would have far more problems with that and ultimately die of CHF before the cancer would have time to spread. Well - her doctor was wrong. She did end up having metastatic disease to her spine which ended up being the cause of her death. The was 76 yrs old. I believe she lived approximately 2 years after that second diagnosis.

When my mom passed away - CeeCee was only 10 months old. She only remembers her from pictures. I did however, move home to be with my mom for the last year of her life and I treasure that time that she got to spend with CeeCee.

For all of you moms out there - please be checked annually. It affects far too many people. We have walked in the Minnesota Race for the Cure for the past 8 years. We walked again today. As you can see in the pictures - we were only a small group of people walking. Minnesota is the second largest group of walkers - approximately 50,000. It's an amazing sight. We had a group of 16 people today and no one got lost. It's amazing. Of course having my sister "the gimp" with her pink cast on in a wheelchair was quite helpful in not losing everyone.

Happy Mother's Day All!!

See you in the morning....

Farms --- or farm animals - my new obsession

2008-05-06T19:37:00.003-05:00

I was out last weekend taking pictures while CeeCee was at her acting class (and I was supposed to be home working). I ran across these little cute Scottish Highlanders. Not sure I would have these on my dream farm but that first one was quite obliging by opening his/her mouth for me to check out her teeth.

That bottom farmhouse is my dream....it was moved a few years ago to this site. I actually didn't know it was that house until my niece saw the picture and she lives by there so she knew what house it was. They have added on to it quite a bit but in a way that makes it look like it has always been the way it is currently. Such a beautiful old farmhouse that has been refurbished. I want it....

Imitation??

2008-04-30T19:57:00.000-05:00

Bird Talk

2008-04-28T19:28:00.002-05:00

Fun day yesterday even through the cold

2008-04-27T09:52:00.010-05:00

We woke up to stinkin snow again yesterday. We had almost 80 degree weather earlier in the week and then this again. Just rediculous.

We then went over to my sister's house for the day. She broke her leg last weekend playing hockey and had surgery on it on Friday. She will be getting a regular cast on it in two weeks - she's going pink in honor of the Breast Cancer walk that we will be doing on Mother's Day. We are already taking numbers on who will be pushing her wheelchair for the walk. I think she needs to get a little scooter to ride on.

My sister's two dogs. The border is the half brother to my border. We were comparing notes. Her's is much shorter than mine, a little heavier, and less timid. She got hers at 8 weeks, mine was 4 months when we got him. There is much bonding in that short amount of time that I think mine did not get. Although mine appears to be much more of a herder - probably from having more time with his parents watching them herd the horses and cows on their farm.

And random shot of CeeCee at one of our favorite local restaurant sites.

Some neighborhood horses. They started out across the pasture from us and when the big one noticed us he was quite curious and started coming over to us then it was like they just wanted to show off and started running around. These are some of the better shots I got of them.

One of my goals for the day was to find some cool old barns. We found these ones to take pics of. I saw a few others that I will have to go back and shoot later this week. Some real leaner's that might not make it too much longer.

The round barn is on an abandoned site however, they did just reshingle it recently.

These shots were on this cute little side road. I just love the waterfall, it was this cute farm setting. It would be ideal if it were just a little farther out in the country and not just a half mile from the freeway.

And we ended at these. JW is going to try to do my nephew's grad pics next year so we were messing around with him and then these two had to get in on it. It was pretty funny. My other nephew had an eye injury last year playing softball (we term it "the accident"). He will be going in soon for his 3rd surgery. We call him "Droopy". He can however, make quite the funny face now with that eye.

Blue Moon

2008-04-15T21:39:00.002-05:00

I took these pictures Sunday afternoon while taking a break from studying. I thought it looked really cool and so clear during the middle of the day.

Oh, wait - that last one isn't the moon.....oh, well - looks cool too. Gotta love bubbles.

See ya in the mornin'

Playing with Light

2008-04-15T18:42:00.002-05:00

or actually playing with Lightroom. I'm trying out Adobe Lightroom. Some cool stuff - I guess that I should look at the tutorials that they provide.

Train Track Pics

2008-04-15T17:06:00.002-05:00

I took this shot a few weeks ago while out walking with my sister, niece and CeeCee. I really wasn't thinking too much about it as being that great of a shot. But once I messed around with it in Lightroom and Elements it really seemed to pop and look great as old time shot. I really like it now.

I took my test this morning at work. Ugghhhh....CeeCee will be happy as I will be able to do more activities with her now rather than saying "I can't - I have to study". It's a series of tests for my job so that I can get a promotion next year. They only offer the test one time of year (today). This was my third in a series of four exams. If I pass this one, I can take the last one next year at this time and will have a new designation after my name - woo hoo!!! Also, the promotion, bonuses and added pay are great! I heard the last one is a real fun one....

New Neighbor

2008-04-08T19:33:00.004-05:00

This guy was in my neighbor's tree this morning. We've narrowed him down to being a Sharp Shinned Hawk. Really pretty - freaky eyes though.

I won't have much time to post for the next week as I have a test to take next Tuesday and I need to get as much studying in as possible.

Something's in the air

2008-04-03T19:50:00.004-05:00

Ok, so maybe not YAY ME but Yay spring - it got up to 60 today. I just had to take some pics of the green sprouting. Now I will have to watch for the worst animal ever created - the bunny so they don't eat my tulips as they come up. Will have to get out the fencing soon.

This just makes me in a great mood. However, I can see out of the corner of my eye the book that I need to be studying for a test that is coming up in 2 weeks - best sign off now and go read 'til it puts me to sleep - about 5 mins if I'm lucky. Tah, tah for now.

Working hard or Hardly working??

2008-04-03T19:40:00.004-05:00

Cruel April Fools joke

2008-03-31T20:38:00.002-05:00

8 stinking inches and counting. I really have nothing more to say.

Day at the Zoo

2008-03-28T18:36:00.012-05:00

I realize it's a lot of pics - just had to put some of the best on here. We spent 5 hours at the zoo today. It was a beautiful 45 degree day. We went to see the baby farm animals but ended up enjoying the dolphin and bird shows better. I took around 250 pics before my battery died on me - bummer.

Some bullets of the day:

The zoo got two new dolphins in January so, they are currently in training mode with them. Still a favorite part of the day.
The little black goat was born this morning - so cute.
I didn't notice the tear in the cows eye until I loaded the pic on my computer. How sad, don't you just want to hug her - or maybe milk her...
The flamingo pics are for my sis - she loves 'em
The owl in the pic was from Africa - he flew into the stadium from behind us. I could kind of tell the way the trainer was looking that he was going to come close so I was ducking down pretty good but still felt his wing on the top of my head. The guy next to me said he could feel him graze his head as well. It was really cool.
They also brought a female Eagle in but she was not allowed to fly (this was after my battery died). The trainer told us it was prime breeding season and she thinks that the trainers are her mates. But she also thought that we were all in her nest and she did not like us at all.
The Lynx started out at the top of her habitat and you could tell she was looking for something, again I didn't notice the tip of her tongue out of her mouth until loading the pic on the computer or I would have known that she was thirsty.

Overall it was a great day - now the aleve need to kick in.

Spring Dreams

2008-03-27T20:01:00.002-05:00

Happiness

2008-03-27T09:54:00.002-05:00

This scrapbook page was made with elements and paper from OscrapmomO's Place. I just loved it. And I finally remembered how to add text to the page.

We're off now to look for a new TV stand and whatever else we can find. Still not very warm outside but at least it appears that they were wrong about more snow coming today. I hope they were wrong anyways......

Digital Scrapbooking

2008-03-26T17:32:00.003-05:00

I took today-Friday off from work to spend time with CeeCee. She was actually pretty busy working on crafts most of the morning and so, I had some free time and decided to learn a little about digital scrapbooking. I could easily become addicted. CeeCee actually created this page. I thought it was quite cute. Will now have to do some more stuff and learn more. The paper and elements were from Rasberry Road Designs.

Will have to get out tomorrow and take some new pics to play with. I actually took some today but haven't downloaded them yet to see how they look.

It's pretty sunny today here but still no real warm up in sight. I even heard mention of snow again tomorrow. We ended up with 8+ inches last weekend - most of it has melted thankgoodness. At the rate we're going this spring we will probably have one day of 30's and the next will be 70. I just want it over.

Wintery Easter Weekend

2008-03-22T08:44:00.002-05:00

Ok, I've just about had enough of this snow. This has really been the longest winter.... I took the pic of CeeCee last weekend when it was fairly nice. We tried to do outside pics but it was too sunny and even putting her in the shade she kept squinting. I think the sun hitting the snow just made it too bright. The snow pics were taken this morning not quite at sunrise thus the blue tone. I think we've probably gotten 6+ inches of snow since Thursday. Ugghhhh.... Hopefully, it will melt next week. I have Wednesday-Friday off next week to spend with CeeCee. I haven't really planned anything to do but I'm sure we'll figure something out. I do want to start some spring cleaning.

The cardinal pic was also taken last weekend. It was the best shot I could get of him. Will keep trying to get a good one. They usually nest in that tree so, I should have plenty of opportunities to take better pics.

Spring Flowers

2008-03-15T08:28:00.002-05:00

I had to go out and buy some Daffodils and Hyacinth this week at Trader Joe's. I was just so in the mood. This has been the longest winter. It was 50 degress on Thursday. It's a little cold today back to the 30's. Most of the snow is gone finally. I finally got those Christmas lights down this week.

I made an appointment for CeeCee's haircut fix for next Saturday. My stylist just laughs at me. Today we are going to see "Horton hears a who". Review later. Then tonight my friends and I are going out again. We started this last year going to our old hangout to celebrate our birthdays throughout the year. I might bring CeeCee with this time, she usually does not want to go with us though.

She got her lines for the next play and she has a part to sing by herself in "It's a hardknock life". We are going to be spending alot of time watching "Annie" and "Oliver" over the next couple of months. Her teacher is quite creative in putting two different stories together. There is parts from both shows intertwined. The girls are playing roles from Annie and the boys (and some girls) are playing the parts from Oliver. I was able to find some lace-up jazz boots online (she wanted period type lace-up boots) for $2.00. It cost more to ship them than the cost of the boots. They were regular $63.00 boots so, I think I got a good deal. They did not have many sizes left so, hopefully, these will fit her. If not, there are a couple of smaller girls that they might fit.

CeeCee photo shoot

2008-03-11T16:14:00.004-05:00

We spent most of sunday taking pics just trying to get my settings correct. I think they turned out pretty good - could the girl get any bluer of eyes. Oh, yeah and that red shirt she has on under the jean jacket - yep - The Beatles. Uggghhhh...if I have to hear "Hey Jude" one more time this week.....

Soon we'll be able to get outside to do pics. It's 49 out today here in MN. Nice and messy out there. Hopefully, the snow will melt fast. It seems like this winter has gone on forever.

I did end up Sunday night with the lovely stomach bug that CeeCee had on Thurs. What a nightmare, I still felt pretty bad yesterday but managed to work through it. Thank goodness for Tele-commuting.

CeeCee photo shoot

2008-03-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

CeeCee photo shoot

2008-03-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

Minneapolis

2008-03-08T06:38:00.003-06:00

The skyline in Minneapolis - beautiful when it's cold. The building that is a ruins is actually an old mill that has been renovated into a museum - Mill City Museum. I've never actually been to it although CeeCee has on two occasions - with her former daycare and for a fieldtrip through school. I love being down in the city. The bridge picture looking at the skyline is over the Mississippi river just north of the 35W bridge that collapsed on August 1st. A former director of mine was one of the first people that they named as having died in the collapse. CeeCee and I went down to the site the next week after the collapse. It was really quite sad.

These pics were taken on Feb 1st. My oldest niece and I went out to take pics downtown. Her battery died within the first 40mins. It actually worked out ok because even though it was in the 20's - I was freezing.

Will be trying to get out today to take some pics. It's sunny - although high is only supposed to be 10. Uggghhhh..... I need to start homeschooling so we can just pick up in the winter and go anywhere warm...

A New Day

2008-03-07T13:25:00.002-06:00

It's a new sunshine day. No more sick child and hopefully, the weather will be warming up this weekend.

Long Winter

2008-03-06T16:50:00.002-06:00

I am just so ready for this winter to be over. It's time to air out the house of these germs. CeeCee came home from school early today because she was vomitting - nice. When I picked her up the nurse said she was the fifth child today. I believe it is supposed to start somewhat warming up this weekend. I will be opening the windows even if it only gets up to 40. My sister said that the Eagles are supposed to be moving up the river this weekend. We missed it by a few weeks.

This picture was actually taken last fall in pond by our house. The swans are kept there to keep the geese out. They sure are beautiful. They come right up to you. While we were there the keeper came out to feed them. All he did was whistle for them and they swam right over to him. So, cool. These were taken by my previous camera - a Kodak point and shoot. It was a good but not great camera. Now when I use it it is so light and I just can't seem to get as good of pics from it as I get with my Nikon.

Well, now she say's she's hungry, will have to go figure out what she can eat.

Bubbles, haircuts and Beatles

2008-03-03T18:26:00.005-06:00

We went on Saturday to see "Penelope". Good for a tween, ok for mom. After that was done we decided to go get CeeCee's haircut. We just went to Snipits - my regret. I wanted to wait until my friend could do it but she's like me and wanted it done right away. The front is cute but - will have to have my friend fix it in the back. I knew better. We then watched "Across the Universe" that night at my sister's house. Wow, really good movie (we covered CeeCee's eyes during the brief nudity scenes). There was 7 of us watching it and I think during the song "Let it be" that all of us were crying - including my niece's boyfriend. Very powerful. CeeCee is now totally into The Beatles. We had to go out and buy the movie and soundtrack for ourselves, then I had to download the music to her Nano. She loves Let it be and Dear Prudence. It's now Monday evening and we are watching it again.

Sunday - nice and warm day in the morning and afternoon. It was just about 40 degrees - we decided to take out the bubbles. It did get a bit chilly after a while. When I started reviewing these pics I noticed that the lights from Christmas were still up. It's just been too cold to get them down. Maybe later this week will be able to do that.

End of world as she knew it....

2008-02-29T16:05:00.000-06:00

Today is the day she dreaded. The end of daycare. From that tiny little baby at 9 weeks old until today at just over 8 yrs old - she has been going to the same daycare with the same kids for her whole life. Some have been there since the beginning, some have left and some are only two years old and don't know anything is changing. My little drama queen. I'm sure she's crying right now before I pick her up. She made B cry this morning with her nice gift and card. She wrote the card out herself and showed it to me last night when she was done. I told her it would make B cry. She wrote, "thanks for 8 yrs of life with me.... Love, CeeCee"

We will move on. She will be staying home with me and I will be driving her to school and picking her up (not our neighborhood school). I told her last night that I know of one day in April that I will not be able to pick her up right away after school and that she will have to go to the after school care until I can get there (department bowling event - woohoo). She said, "why can't Aunt B pick me up?" So funny, we shall see how it goes.

Spring dreams put on hold....

2008-02-28T16:34:00.001-06:00

Yep, that's it February in MN, one day it's sunny and you start dreaming of green grass, the trees budding, maybe the tulips are starting to move to the surface in your flower beds....The next day - dreams dashed by a little snowfall. At least the temp is not below zero anymore. And - hey, as they always say - it doesn't last as long.

Bring on Spring

2008-02-27T16:15:00.001-06:00

So, today with the sun out and the temps going in the right direction - UP. My thoughts went to spring and warmth and green. Unfortunately, still no signs of growing under the past seasons flower beds but I did think these remnants of my wild Yarrow looked quite nice and happy to be still standing in February in MN.

Eagle in the wild

2008-02-26T18:47:00.000-06:00

This Eagle was about a block away from the center. It was great to be right under the bird when it took off from the tree - to hear the whosh, whosh of his wings. Amazing. He/she flew right up over a bridge connecting MN with Wisconsin, it was only about 10ft over the bridge, I can't imagine being in a car on the bridge when one of them flies over like that. Again, amazing and beautiful.

Eagles

2008-02-26T18:34:00.000-06:00

The Golden Eagle was a recent arrival to the National Eagle Center in January. I'm not sure what happened to her that landed her in the center. She was quite striking although she would never turn around, she sat like that the whole time we were there.

The female Bald Eagle was much bigger than the Golden. In fact the female is much bigger than a male as well.

Birthday Girl

2008-02-26T18:22:00.001-06:00

As I indicated, we went to Red Wing and Wabasha for CeeCee's birthday. Not your typical 8th birthday party for this girl. Most of the family went and we went to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. The Eagle in the bottom pic was hit by a van and broke her wing, she will never be able to be in the wild again. I cannot even imagine hitting one of these beautiful creatures. I love this pic because they are both looking the same way - but one looks like she's worried about what the other is going to do and the other looks like she is about to pounce on something that made her mad.

The top two pics were just cute shots that I got on one of the many stops on the way down from the cities. Because of the cold weather we've had in January and February here there were not as many Eagles to view. We saw around 12 Eagles total for the day. It was still a great day and the weather was perfect after a cold week of below zero temps.

Sun Filtered

2008-02-26T18:11:00.000-06:00

These pics were taken on our way to Red Wing and Wabasha to celebrate CeeCee's 8th birthday. I had the polarizer filter on the camera and it was very foggy out. It made the sun look real scary as my niece indicated. Middle pic was edited in photoshop with warmer tones and a border. The other two pics are unedited.

Puppy pics

2008-02-25T20:10:00.000-06:00

My friend got a new puppy last week and asked me to come over and photo her. She's a Norwich Terrier. So cute and quiet. I love the pic where her back is to me. It was good that I took these pics when I did as both of her ears are now standing straight.

Lunar eclipse 02/20/2008

2008-02-25T20:03:00.000-06:00

These were my first attempt at Lunar Eclipse photo's. Camera on tripod, 300mm at F5.6, 1.3 - 2.5 second shutter speed w/ light from side window and remote shutter release.

Play pics

2008-02-25T19:56:00.000-06:00

Pics from plays. CeeCee was a Lost Kid in Peter Pan, Susan - Annie Oakley's little sister and a pageant kid in the Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Sad face's

2008-02-25T19:51:00.001-06:00

These pics were taken a day after we found out that her daycare was closing after her having been there for 8 years. When I picked her up from daycare that night, she told me that she had been crying for over an hour. My little emotional drama queen.

CeeCee Photo shoot

2008-02-25T19:44:00.000-06:00

Photo shoot that CeeCee wanted to do. "It was my idea to use the Guitar mom". I need to work on the portrait pics. I also don't like the color of the walls as a background. We will be working on this. It will be nice to be able to take pics outside when the weather warms up.

Artsy shots

2008-02-25T19:35:00.000-06:00

These are pics of some glasses that my niece and her friend got from Bubba Gump Shrimp that light up at the bottom. I used some filtering treatments in Photoshop the make them undetectable of what they are.

Dogs

2008-02-25T19:23:00.000-06:00

The dogs - They are so fun to shoot. Nice models, lot's of action. They are quite entertaining.

Backyard Nature pics

2008-02-25T19:14:00.000-06:00

Top pic was taken in my backyard. I had been playing around with the White Balance settings in the house and forgot to change it back. I believe I had it set at Incandescent - I still liked how it turned out, makes it look really cold out here on the Tundra in MN. I think it was probably around 20 degrees that day.

The other two pics were taken in my sister's backyard. The light is not actually on. The sun was setting and it was hitting the lightpost just right to appear that the light was turned on.

Flowers from CeeCee's play

2008-02-25T19:10:00.000-06:00

Top two photo's are SOOC (straight out of camera) shots. Bottom one has a nice blurred pink frame around the focal flower. Pic using new lenson a tripod

Rice Park - St. Paul, Mn

2008-02-25T19:06:00.000-06:00

Taken from inside the Ordway Theatre. Beautiful pics, love the bottom pic with some of the people moving and some standing still.

2008-02-25T18:41:00.000-06:00

These will be some of my favorite pics that I have taken throughout 2008. I will be creating posts with multiple pics until I catch up, then will be posting my favorite of the day pics.