06 june 2011

Ryan has been looking through my layouts. I sat down with and noticed some bent pages. On further investigation, the glue failed to keep the layout on the page. I have also seen failure of cardstock to cardstock. All using Creative Memories glue. I am disappointed and feel even better that I have switch to digital. Ryan wants me to catch up on layouts. I pretty much stopped at 2006. The 2007 layouts I have done were for Hillary's One in 48.

I sent 16 digi layouts to Persnickety Prints for printing. Their prices are a lot cheaper than Mpix. I hope the quality is good. They already shipped my layouts!

I am finished organizing 2005 photos. They are tagged an starred and put into collections. I will move on to 2006 before tackling the earlier years.

We are at the pool. Andy is swimming. Ryan is checking out the area. I think he is looking at rocks. I had forgotten my camera ready and still forgot to bring it. This time we were half way here and I knew Ryan wouldn't want me to turn around.

Ryan brought his thermos to the pool. He just brought it to me and said it ha to be taken back because of the rules. I said it was 15' and the line of tables were set back so they would be far enough away. He got out his iPod touch to measure. That was too hard so I grabbed a beach towel which is 6' long. Turns out the table is only about 13' away. I said he could keep his cup to the back of the table. This wasn't good enough. I said he could move to another table farther from the pool. He moved to the farthest table in the smoking area without shade.

Earlier today, I came across the photos of Ryan walking along the rail at the cottage. He would never do that now and didn't even want to look at them. Now that he knows the rules, he will not deviate from them.

Lunch was the usual, McDonald's then Chick Fil A. I did stop at FedEx to ship a package to my goddaughter. We saw several orange painted bikes along Bruce B Downs. Another reason to remember my camera.

We went to Target for groceries. I didn't go over to the general merchandise side. I didn't need anything. Ryan left me at the beginning to walk over but returned before I got halfway done with the groceries. Target has stopped carrying many of our favorite items. Last year it was the Lender's Cinnamon Raisin bagels. This year is it the Entemann's Popems and now Juicy Juice. Publix is more expensive and I would prefer to shop at Target.

I saw my friend Lianna at Target. She lives down the street but we don't see each other much. She is busy with homeschooling and such. Her kids are just younger than mine and they love to be left home. Yet, she feels bad leaving them there.

I took nap to try to ignore the cramps.

I woke up in time to make dinner. Then I made a card and edited the photos from Andy's field trip to the bowling alley. Tomorrow I can work on Disney photos.

I decided I wanted a logo or badge for these posts. I came up with one but was not in love with it. I tossed the first away and did another. We'll see how long it stays.

05 june 2011

24 april 2005 lowry park zoo

Waffles and sausage for breakfast. I did my POTD and then made a layout with some really old photos. I looked at the other posts on the capture your 365 blog hop and now want to redo all of my layouts. I think too much. I got the photos done for ESE talent show. Now to work on bowling and special olympics photos.

Dad won't be home for his June 23 dentist appointment. He did emphasize that he will be back. I asked him to bring back as many photos as he can fit in his car.

I did not sleep well last night. I started coughing so I moved to the chair. The computer was awake all night and woke me up at each hour. I had to nap today.

I am still getting used to feedly. I like the look but don't like the lack of features that I am used to with reeder. I tried listening to NPR for iPad but the app crashed. This was after a clean install.

Ryan has been looking at my scrapbooks. Many of my layouts are falling apart. This does not make me happy especially since I bought into the hype of Creative Memories. I believed them when they said their glues held. They did not. And now pages are slipping and getting bent. I am glad I have switched to digital. I do not have to worry about heavy pages nor glue failing. And even then I can print out another page.

I made a digi card then I wrapped up presents for Mary Grace and got the box ready to ship. I also put in some goodies for Bonnie. I wish I could just ship a crate to her and get my living room back.

I am not sure I am buying the whole photo freedom thing. I do like scrapping chronologically. I think Ryan prefers looking at that way too. I do know I have to start printing out some of the digi layouts so he can enjoy them.

04 june 11

No plans to go anywhere today. I made a card. I did my POTD. A little lazy in the inspiration department. I am in the organize mode right now and want to work on photos.

Savi came over and got her stuff. The hard disk still works. She went through my photos and picked out photos she wanted of the boys. Then I started picking out photos to put into a photo book for father's day. I have way more photos of Andy than Ryan. Andy is more cooperative and Andy does more like CBIs and field trips and special olympics.

Most of my photos from 2005 are poor at best. Is it because they got manipulated so much and lost info? When I zoom to 100% and see tons of artifacts. I think I have scrapped these photos but I don't like that I probably cannot print them again with good results. Many more of the originals are gone and I only have thumbnails. Since then, I have gotten better at saving my photos multiple ways.

Tomorrow is our blog hop for Capture Your 365. I used to be very relaxed with photo of the day. I didn't worry if the photo was captured that day, my rule was to process and upload a photo of the day. This year, I decided to capture the photo and post it the same day. Many of my photos were taken with my iPhone. Then Katrina Kennedy started Capture Your 365 and now I am doing more deliberate photography. Sure, most of it is just macros of my legos. But I set up a shot, take multiple exposures and sometimes angles, then process the one I like best. And post it as well. Because of CY365, I started gathering those photos and scrapping them, one week per page. I would like to print them in a book at the end of the year. And like everything else, I procrastinate until forced by a deadline. Today I did four weeks of photos on 4 layouts and posted them on my blog. They are scheduled for 8 am EST so that is 7 EST tomorrow morning.

I watched another episode of Dr. Who. I just started the first season from 2005. Ryan watched a bit and was getting upset with the earth dying. I had to explain it wasn't real. He had to process that. Cartoons are easier to understand that they aren't real. Well, the old cartoons.

03 june 11

I came across this photo today taken in May 2006. It makes me smile. Boys are too cute wearing plaid shorts for Ashlee & Brad's wedding. They look like they are posing for their mug shots.

I told Ryan we needed to go to target today. I needed to refill some meds. He complained. I said he could stay home. He said he couldn't. He doesn't feel safe so I won't push it. He complained about having to go out every weekday. This isn't something I can wait on. So I gave him the choice of what time. He said 1:00 pm and only to Target.

I told Ryan that the family is asking when we are going to go up north. He said, "It's too cold." I agreed. "We prefer the warmness of our hearts." I laughed. "And the coldness of our minds."

This boy cracks me up.

I spent most of the day working on my Lightroom library. I thought things were pretty well organized but I was wrong. Files from before 2007, when I think I switched over to Lightroom, were in a big mess. This was partially the fault of iPhoto. iPhoto save several sizes of photos and I had many duplicates in different sizes. The rest was my fault. I thought I was being clever by combining folders and not caring about the dates so much. As well as being inconsistent with file naming. It was a big mess. I think I have 2005 and 2006 cleared up and ready to go through for Photo Freedom. My goal is to leave the folders alone and use only collections.

My friend Savi came over to use the internets so I used her to watch the boys while I went to Target. The boys were happy that they didn't have to go out. Savi stayed all afternoon backing up to a hard drive. This drive wouldn't work for her before but today it did.

I finally opened some of my Thin Mints Savi gave me for my birthday. I keep them in the freezer and had forgotten about them. They are so good, especially right from the freezer.

I feel better being properly medicated.

02 june 11

First day of summer break. Also first day of Finding Photo Freedom. Instead of starting on that, I went to the pool. It is Thursday and that means swimming lunch and Publix.

I did get dome things done like digi shopping and POTD. I have new characters. I spent time collecting old tires and plane parts and not of that shows in this first scene.

Ryan opted not to swim and so did I. I think I am going to order a swim shirt so my fat, pale arms do not need to show. They are need cheap at least in chubby girl sizes.

The clubhouse has a new pool deck. It was just replaced a couple of years ago but they had problems with it. This one is faux tile. And not a good job at the "tile joints". The tables have also been resurfaced and look cheesy.

I didn't bring my camera today. I remembered when I got in the car. Ryan said I should leave it until next year. Brat.

The weather was nice. The sun is warm but the breeze is cool. All the rain we had yesterday helped. The ladies exercise group is still going. Andy showed no sign of joining them until they neared the end. He didn't get too close and even did some of his own exercises on the pool deck.

Ugh. I forgot how bad the signal is here at the clubhouse. The wifi only works inside the clubhouse. You have to leave the pool area to go in. I really dislike what they have done to this place. It is not friendly at all.

Ryan grew bored and annoyed that Andy was still swimming at 11:15. Ryan only swims for about 45 minutes when he does swim at all. I told him he had to let Andy swim for an hour. I said he could stay home next time. Then I realized that he doesn't even know how to use the phone. Neither boy has shown much, if any, curiosity about the phones. They will look on the caller ID to see who is ringing, but they don't know how to answer the phone. Or make call. I will have to fix that soon.

We did our lunchtime run to McDonald's and Chick Fil A and then to Publix. Ryan did better will pushing the cart than he had on Monday. But he still managed to crash into another cart. I cannot see this boy getting his license in 4 years. Or ever.

Years ago, the boys would whine or make some noise if I was in the "wrong" lane. We are all creatures of habit that they knew the routes and routine better than myself. Today, Ryan's arm kept getting closer to me and I could sense he wanted to steer. He said I needed to get over. But we still have 3/4 miles until I needed to turn. Once I told him the schedule, he was OK with my driving in that he knew where I would be driving. He is a back seat driving in the front seat at the age of 12. And he complained that he could not read the air bag warning on the visor since it was partially covered up by a cd holder. I explained the warning and told him about air bags.

The afternoon seemed to drag on. Probably because I didn't nap. I made a layout and a card and worked on some photo editing. my brother sent me a text to land line message. What an annoying piece of crap that it. The call comes from "unknown" and the computer speech is awful. You must recognize the number or else you will have no idea whom the text is from. It is very bad and takes way to long to go through. I told him to email me. But he doesn't have a smart phone. Ugh. He wanted a recent picture of me and the boys. Double ugh. Thankfully not one exists that I know of.

9:28 pm

Quiet with Ryan asleep and Andy soon to go to bed. He won't go to sleep until after 10, maybe even 11:00. He is a night owl. But he knows to stay in his room and be "quiet" after 9:30. I will probably go to bed soon.

Only 80 more days to go.

bowling for fun

Andy had a field trip at Pin Chasers. Mrs E said they would be there at 9:30. I was there (on the phone with Bonnie) and the bus showed up at 9:50.

The kids were told they didn't need to change their shoes if they had sneakers. That made things go quickly.



They were only allowed to play one game. We got done about 10:30. Then the kids paid their dollar and we walked over to Ci-Ci's. It was not open so we had to wait. Andy was fine because he had his new iPod Touch and was shooting videos.



We had too much pizza. We left about noon and went to Publix we took our groceries home and went to Chick Fil A. Andy had two lunches.



We went to McDonald's to get fries for Ryan. Andy said he wanted fries too. Really? He didn't finish his lunch from Chick Fil A. I got the fries but he didn't eat many. At County Line he burped and said, "I do that on the toilet." Huh? Oh he meant get sick. are you going to get sick? "No." but he sat hunched over and did not eat any more fries.



Later, he went into the bathroom like he was going to throw up. But he had diarrhea instead. He didn't say anything and tried to clean himself. But the stink came out into the room and I knew he needed help.

philippe park

This is the last scheduled Friday morning photo walk. For some reason, I never got around to scheduling walks for June. Turns out I can’t walk in June because my dad is staying out of town longer.



OP and George and Allen were at the park when I arrived. Soon Sherry showed up. We really haven’t had the time to chat because the photo meetings have become webinars and there is little socializing.



Jeff and Theresa did show up even though he did not RSVP again. Almost every one was there and we started walking. Jeff did not go through his spiel since no one was new. Sherry and I walked along the water even though the beach got very narrow in places. We met up with the group again when we climbed back on shore.



I don't think anyone was very interested in shooting. Phillippe Park is very nice but Jeff mostly comes early morning for the birds.



Doyle showed up to help me with a photo shoot I had after the walk. Allen, Sherry, OP and I started to walk back towards the car. Doyle met up with us then Jeff made it back with George. Some of the group went to lunch but I had to get ready for my senior shoot.

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pioneer florida museum

Andy had a field trip to the Pioneer Florida Museum. I got there a few minutes before the bus and purchased 3 large coins. I think they will be fun to use in some macro shots.



The kids split up into 3 groups. Two groups then went with one guide and the third group with another guide. He took us to the train station and we got to see the toy train set up. The kids got to climb up on the train. Then they got to climb up on the fire engine. I always seem to be a few moments late so I didn't get good shots.





We then went through the school room, church and house. Sam had to go up to the pulpit and pretend to give a speech. At the school room, he wanted to be a teacher. Andy always stay at the fringes, outside if they would let him. I was like that too. I would still be like that without my camera.



We switched guides and went through more buildings. It is just as impressive as Heritage Village without the long drive. Though the rural setting at Heritage Village makes it seem more authentic.



Once the tour was done, the kids ate. I had a snack at Starbucks so I didn't have lunch. And I knew we would be going to Chick Fil A. Andy and I then went to Publix.

[gallery]

busy. and a bit sick.

I have a blog post almost ready but haven't been able to get to the photos. We are going to Orlando tomorrow and Ryan brought home a cold. He is better but now Andy & I have it. Andy decided to not sleep last night which kept me awake at time. He does this every year or so. I don't know how he does it. I know I can't. My brain is no longer functioning correctly.

changes

When I was taking driver's ed, we had to learn to change a tire. I had my chance to try out my skills a couple of years later when I was a senior. I was on the powderpuff team and we were at practice. After we played against the football team, Tina had a flat tire. Neither one of us had a boyfriend so we started to change the tire ourselves. I was loosening the lug nuts before we jacked up the car. It was the way I was taught. Of course a few of the football players decided to walk by just then. They said I was doing it wrong but didn't offer to help. We got it changed just fine and Tina was able to get the tire fixed without her father knowing about it.

I went decades without any tire problems. Well, except for bike tires. I had a rash of flats in the mid 90s when I actually moved my ass. Bike tires may be smaller and cheaper than auto tires but they are actually harder and messier to change. Especially the rear one.

A couple of years ago, one of the tires on my van had a slow leak. It held enough air to get me to the shop to have the flat fixed. I was surprised when there was no charge. Not that I expected much, I remember it being $5 or $10 years, and years, ago. I guess it is their way of getting you in the door. And it worked because the next time I needed tires, I went directly to them.

Last week, Ryan had a dentist appointment. We were done about 1:00 and we pulled out of the lot. We just started onto Amberly Drive and something sounded wrong. I stopped, looked and saw the flat. Dang! I crawled a little farther looking for a place to pull over. I stopped in the median of an gated apartment complex. I called my insurance and went through all the buttons and such just to see if I had roadside assistance. I did and they put in a call. It would be about 30 minutes. I didn't want to sit and wait neither did Ryan. I pulled out the manual and started reading.



My friend, Bonnie, has flats all the time. She blames the rural roads. It might be the speeds she drives over those rural roads. Bonnie just calls her husband to come and change her tire. And he does it. I think it might be the way Texan men are brought up. If Gail was alive and I called him, he would have told me to change it myself or call roadside assistance. He would not leave work for a flat tire. If my dad were in town, I could have called him. He would have come but he probably would not have been much help. He has grown weak in his old age.

The hardest part was getting the spare. It is kept under the car. It came down OK but I finally had to sit in the ground and get it free. Did I mention I was wearing a skirt? Yeah, not very lady like. Ryan helped a bit once he lost his rubber ball he has just gotten from the dentist. Meanwhile, there were plenty of cars going in and out of the apartment complex as well as people driving a golf cart. As I was tightening the lug nuts, a woman driving the golf cart asked if I needed any help. Good timing.



We were done in twenty minutes. Dirty and sweaty. Oh yeah, it was 90 degrees. I called the insurance company back and had them cancel the assistance. Then we went to lunch, the bookstore and home. I went to the tire place the next day and waited for 2 hours while they fixed the flat. They also rotated the tires and put back the spare.